Cracid Specialist Group (CSG) - Where do Cracids Live?

oWhere do Cracids Live?

The geographic distribution (Power Point Map) of Cracids ranges widely throughout Latin America, where this family occupies a variety of habitats from the lowland tropics to the Andean Mountains. The Andean Guan lives higher than any other Cracid, with one record at nearly 4000 meters above sea level!

Most species of Cracids live in pristine tropical rainforest; however, there are exceptions. Chachalacas are associated with secondary habitats, such as scrub, secondary forest, and lightly-logged woodland. Several species are restricted to various habitats in the Andean Mountain Chain. These Cracids include the Helmeted Curassows, that are endemic to montane cloud forest habitats and several species of Penelope Guans.

In contrast to most Cracids dwelling in the deep interior of the tropical rainforests, some of the Crax Curassows are found in the aqueous environments. The Wattled Curassow is almost always found in the varzea; the seasonally inundated riverine forest edge. While the Yellow-knobbed Curassow is found in the llanos; the seasonally inundated floodplain and proximal gallery forest. Some species are associated with more than one habitat across their geographic distribution. The Bare-faced Curassow may be seen in tropical rainforests or Pantanal wetlands. The Crested Guan is not only associated with different habitats, but it is also found on different continents! In the northern extent of its range in Central Mexico this species inhabits montane pine-oak forest. Further south in Central America the Crested Guan lives in lowland to montane tropical rainforest. In South America this species occurs west of the Andes in dry forest.

Several species live in different habitats during different seasons. The reasons for their seasonal movements are often tied to food availability. In many lowland tropical rainforest environments, especially Amazonian, resource availability is dictated by the water level in the river, which is influenced by snow-melt in the Andes. As a result the Black Curassow migrates to the varzea during the low-water season, and the terra-firme tropical rainforest during high water season. The Black-fronted Piping Guan and several of the Andean dwelling Penelope Guans will move from the upper parts of a mountain to the mid-level or lowland. This is a result of higher food availability at lower altitudes during harsh cold winters.


	oWhere do Cracids Live? The geographic distribution (Power Point Map) of Cracids ranges widely throughout Latin America, where this family occupies a variety of habitats from the lowland tropics to the Andean Mountains. The Andean Guan lives higher than any other Cracid, with one record at nearly 4000 meters above sea level! Most species of Cracids live in pristine tropical rainforest; however, there are exceptions. Chachalacas are associated with secondary habitats, such as scrub, secondary forest, and lightly-logged woodland. Several species are restricted to various habitats in the Andean Mountain Chain. These Cracids include the Helmeted Curassows, that are endemic to montane cloud forest habitats and several species of Penelope Guans. In contrast to most Cracids dwelling in the deep interior of the tropical rainforests, some of the Crax Curassows are found in the aqueous environments. The Wattled Curassow is almost always found in the varzea; the seasonally inundated riverine forest edge. While the Yellow-knobbed Curassow is found in the llanos; the seasonally inundated floodplain and proximal gallery forest. Some species are associated with more than one habitat across their geographic distribution. The Bare-faced Curassow may be seen in tropical rainforests or Pantanal wetlands. The Crested Guan is not only associated with different habitats, but it is also found on different continents! In the northern extent of its range in Central Mexico this species inhabits montane pine-oak forest. Further south in Central America the Crested Guan lives in lowland to montane tropical rainforest. In South America this species occurs west of the Andes in dry forest. Several species live in different habitats during different seasons. The reasons for their seasonal movements are often tied to food availability. In many lowland tropical rainforest environments, especially Amazonian, resource availability is dictated by the water level in the river, which is influenced by snow-melt in the Andes. As a result the Black Curassow migrates to the varzea during the low-water season, and the terra-firme tropical rainforest during high water season. The Black-fronted Piping Guan and several of the Andean dwelling Penelope Guans will move from the upper parts of a mountain to the mid-level or lowland. This is a result of higher food availability at lower altitudes during harsh cold winters.