The Wattled Guan ( Aburria aburri ) is a large guan in the family Cracidae. It inhabits humid forests on the Andean slopes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Although it is often difficult to observe, its dark plumage, blue bill and distinctive throat wattle make it one of the most recognisable guans in the region. It is usually encountered in forested landscapes rather than open country and is frequently detected by its vocalisations before it is seen. ( ww.worldbirdnames.org ) Physical Description The Wattled Guan is approximately 72–78 cm long. Its plumage is predominantly glossy greenish-black, sometimes showing blue, bronze or olive reflections. The head is rounded and fully feathered, without the extensive bare facial skin seen in some related guans. The bill has a conspicuously blue cere and a black tip, while the legs are yellowish and the eyes are brown. ( researchgate.net ) Its most diagnostic feature is the long, slender throat wattle, formed by a red area of bare skin and a yellow to reddish fleshy appendage. Published descriptions differ on the extent of sexual dimorphism. Aguilar and Aguilar reported that the hanging caruncle was present in females, while males showed the red bare throat area without the elongated appendage. Other field descriptions have treated the wattle as a characteristic of the species without separating the sexes. Further observations are therefore desirable before the feature is used as a definitive sexing character. No well-established age-related plumage differences are documented in the sources consulted. Juveniles and immature birds are likely to be less strongly marked than adults, but detailed identification criteria for young birds remain limited. Range and Habitat The Wattled Guan occurs from north-western Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador to southern Peru. It is associated mainly with humid subtropical and tropical montane forest, including cloud forest, forest edges and tall secondary growth. Reported elevations extend broadly from about 600 to 2,500 metres, although the species may occur outside this range locally. ( livrozilla.com ) The species is resident rather than known to undertake long-distance migration. Some sources suggest that it may make local or seasonal movements along elevational gradients in response to food availability, but the extent and regularity of these movements are not well established. It is most dependent on forested habitats with a substantial canopy and fruiting vegetation. Behaviour and Diet Wattled Guans are secretive and are often heard before they are seen. Their vocalisation has been described as a long, rising, buzzing or rattling sound that may be repeated at dawn and dusk and, particularly during the breeding season, at other times of day. Wing-noise displays have also been reported during courtship or territorial interactions. ( api.pageplace.de ) The species usually forages in the middle and upper levels of the forest, where it takes fruit, seeds and leaves. It is principally frugivorous, although the available evidence is limited and occasional records of animal matter should not be ruled out. By consuming fruit and moving through the forest, the Wattled Guan may contribute to seed dispersal, although its quantitative importance has not been established in detail. It is generally seen alone, in pairs or in small family groups. Groups of up to several individuals have been recorded, but the species is not usually described as highly gregarious. Breeding information remains scarce. Documented observations include nests in forest vegetation and clutches containing a single egg, while older accounts have proposed larger clutches. The available evidence is insufficient to support a fixed clutch size or a detailed account of parental roles. ( livrozilla.com ) Identification Tips Look for a large, dark guan with an entirely or almost entirely black-green body. The bright blue bill and yellowish legs are useful supporting features. The long, narrow red-and-yellow throat wattle is the key field mark. The head is rounded and feathered, without a prominent crest or extensive bare facial skin. Listen for a distinctive rising buzz or rattling call, especially around dawn and dusk. The Wattled Guan is most likely to be encountered in the canopy or along the outer edge of humid montane forest, where it may remain partly concealed. It can be separated from other dark guans by the combination of its blue bill, fully feathered head and unique throat appendage. Care is needed when identifying distant birds, because poor light can make the glossy plumage appear uniformly black and obscure the wattle. Conservation Status The Wattled Guan was historically treated as Near Threatened in several conservation sources. BirdLife International’s 2023 reassessment recommended that it be listed as Least Concern , reflecting its comparatively broad range and the absence of sufficiently strong evidence for a rapid global decline. Some secondary databases may still display the former Near Threatened assessment, so the assessment date should be checked when citing its status. ( forums.birdlife.org )

The principal pressures on the species are habitat loss, forest fragmentation and hunting. Deforestation for agriculture, logging and settlement has reduced and disconnected suitable forest in parts of the Andes. Hunting may be locally severe, particularly where the species is accessible and enforcement is weak. However, the global population size and trend are not sufficiently well quantified to support a reliable numerical estimate. Conservation priorities include protecting remaining montane forests, maintaining habitat connectivity, reducing unsustainable hunting and improving field surveys of poorly known populations. Frequently Asked Questions It occurs in humid montane forests from north-western Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador to southern Peru, generally at elevations of roughly 600–2,500 metres. It is a large, glossy greenish-black guan with a blue-based bill, yellowish legs and a long, narrow red-and-yellow throat wattle. Its diet consists mainly of fruit, seeds and leaves gathered in the middle and upper levels of humid forest. It is regarded as primarily frugivorous. No long-distance migration is known. Local or seasonal movements along mountain slopes are possible, but they have not been documented well enough to describe as a regular migration pattern. It is shy, occurs in dense forest and often remains in the canopy. Its dark plumage blends into shaded vegetation, and observers commonly detect it by its loud call before seeing the bird. The latest BirdLife International reassessment recommended a global IUCN category of Least Concern. Nevertheless, local populations may be affected by deforestation, fragmentation and hunting, and regional conservation concerns remain significant. BirdLife International. 2023. “Wattled Guan ( Aburria aburri ).” Globally Threatened Bird Forums, 2023 Red List assessment discussion. BirdLife International. Available at: https://forums.birdlife.org/2023-1-wattled-guan-aburria-aburri/ . Accessed 8 September 2026. BirdLife International. 2023. “2023 Red List update.” BirdLife International, Globally Threatened Bird Forums. Available at: https://forums.birdlife.org/2023-red-list-update/ . Accessed 8 September 2026. Gill, F., Donsker, D. and Rasmussen, P., eds. 2026. IOC World Bird List , version 15.2. International Ornithologists’ Union. Available at: https://www.worldbirdnames.org/ . Accessed 8 September 2026. Greeney, H. F., Mendoza Romero, H., Simbaña, J., Gelis, R. A., Durán, F. and Solano-Ugalde, A. 2009. “First nest descriptions of the Wattled Guan ( Aburria aburri ).” Boletín del Grupo de Especialistas en Crácidos . Available at: https://livrozilla.com/doc/1297301/bolet%C3%ADn-de-grupo-especialistas-en-cracidos-boletim-do-gru- . Accessed 8 September 2026. Hilty, S. L. and Brown, W. L. 1986. A Guide to the Birds of Colombia . Princeton University Press. Kessler Rios, M., Londoño, G. A. and Muñoz, M. C. 2005. “Density and natural history of Wattled Guan ( Aburria aburri ) in the Central Andes of Colombia.” Ornitología Neotropical , 16(2), pp. 205–217. Schulenberg, T. S., Stotz, D. F., Lane, D. F., O’Neill, J. P. and Parker III, T. A. 2010. Birds of Peru: Revised and Updated Edition . Princeton University Press. Schulenberg, T. S., Eisermann, K., Areta, J. I., et al. 2018. Birds of Northern South America, Volume 1: Species Accounts . Lynx Edicions. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. n.d. “Wattled Guan ( Aburria aburri ).” Species information. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/species/wattled-guan-aburria-aburri . Accessed 8 September 2026. Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) Lilac-crowned Amazon: A Jewel of the Avian World The Lilac-crowned Amazon, scientifically known as Amazona finschi, is a captivating parrot… Green-breasted Mountaingem (Lampornis sybillae) The Enigmatic Green-breasted Mountaingem: A Jewel of the Cloud Forests The Green-breasted Mountaingem (Lampornis sybillae), a vibrant and captivating hummingbird… Red-throated Piping Guan (Pipile cujubi) Introduction The Red-throated Piping Guan, Pipile cujubi, is a large arboreal member of the guan, chachalaca and curassow family, Cracidae.…