Photo: Daniesser / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-crested Guan
Penelope pileata
White-crested Guan (Penelope pileata) — Gamebirds of South America.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-crested Guan (Penelope pileata) is a member of the Cracidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Cracidae Chachalacas, Curassows, Guans
- Genus Penelope
- Species pileata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Cracidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Endangered
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-crested Guan is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-crested Guan is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-crested Guan (Penelope pileata) is a member of the Cracidae family, within the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA nc Brazil.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 32.2 cm and a tail of around 35.8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-crested Guan?
The White-crested Guan is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the White-crested Guan live?
The White-crested Guan is found across South America with a range covering SA nc Brazil, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-crested Guan belong to?
The White-crested Guan (Penelope pileata) belongs to the Cracidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the White-crested Guan eat?
The White-crested Guan is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the White-crested Guan migrate?
The White-crested Guan is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-crested Guan endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the White-crested Guan make?
1 real field recording of the White-crested Guan — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-crested Guan's range?
The White-crested Guan has a mapped global range of about 1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Cracidae
Not Evaluated
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Game Birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern