Grey-winged trumpeter

Psophia crepitans

Photo by José Formentí (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
grey-winged trumpeter (en); jacamim-de-costas-cinzentas (pt); agami-trompette (fr); trompetero ala gris (es); grauflügel-trompetervogel (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Gruiformes
Family Psophiidae


Range:
This species is found in the northern Amazon forests, from northern Brazil, Suriname and the Guyanas, to south-eastern Venezuela, southern Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru.


Size:
These birds are 45-56 cm long and weigh 1,3-1,5 kg.


Habitat:
Grey-winged trumpeters are found in lowland rainforests, from sea level up to an altitude of 700 m.


Diet:
They eat a wide variety of fruits collected in the forest floor, but also some seeds, insects and  sometimes small reptiles.


Breeding:
Grey-winged trumpeters live in small groups for 3-12 individuals, but only the dominant female breeds. She will mate with up to 3 dominant males and lays 2-4 white eggs in a tree cavity. The eggs are incubated for 27-28 days by different members of the group. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and join the rest of the group on the forest floor.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as uncommon. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable exploitation, but it is not considered threatened at present.