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SPECIES PROFILE

Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus)

Oreophasis

IUCN STATUS

Endangered

Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus) — Endemic to a handful of cloud forest volcanoes in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico; one of the most restricted ranges of any bird

CONSERVATION STATUS

Endangered

CLASS

Aves

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE

Endemic to a handful of cloud forest volcanoes in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico; one of the most restricted ranges of any bird

DIET

Herbivore

HABITAT

Undisturbed cloud forest on volcanic peaks at 1,650–3,350 m; restricted to a handful of isolated volcano summits

🔬 Classification

PHYLUM

Chordata

CLASS

Aves

ORDER

Galliformes

FAMILY

Cracidae

GENUS

Oreophasis

📋 Description

SIZE

85 cm; 1.5 kg

COLORATION

Black head with a distinctive red horn protruding from the crown; black and white body; red facial skin; red legs; spectacular and unmistakable

ADAPTATIONS

Red horn is thought to be a display structure for mate attraction; extremely secretive; spends most time in the forest canopy

🌿 Ecology

HABITAT

Undisturbed cloud forest on volcanic peaks at 1,650–3,350 m; restricted to a handful of isolated volcano summits

DIET

Herbivore

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Endemic to a handful of cloud forest volcanoes in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico; one of the most restricted ranges of any bird

REPRODUCTION

Builds a flat stick nest in the cloud forest canopy; 2 eggs; poorly studied due to extreme rarity and inaccessibility of habitat

DIET DETAILS

Fruit, leaves, and flowers gathered in the forest canopy; specialises on fruits of cloud forest trees

⚠️ Threats & Conservation

PRIMARY THREATS

Deforestation of the volcanic cloud forests; hunting; extremely small and fragmented range makes any disturbance critical

💡 Interesting Facts

1

The Horned Guan is considered one of the 100 most endangered birds in the world; its entire global population fits on a handful of volcanic peaks and may number fewer than 1,000 individuals.

2

The red "horn" on the Horned Guan's head is unique among birds — no other bird species has a similar cranial adornment; its function is still debated by ornithologists.

🔭 Sighting Guide

📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT

Volcán Tacaná near San Marcos, Guatemala, is one of the most accessible sites to search for the Horned Guan

Volcán Zunil near Quetzaltenango is another cloud forest volcano with Horned Guan records

Chicabal lagoon and volcano near San Marcos have cloud forest habitat within Horned Guan range

🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT

Year-round on the cloud forest slopes of Volcán Tacaná near San Marcos; dawn hours in the upper cloud forest are the most productive time.

🎯 SIGHTING TIPS

Year-round. One of the rarest birds in the world; restricted to a few volcanoes in Guatemala and Chiapas; Volcán Tacaná and San Marcos highlands.