Trinidad Piping-Guan

This species is only found on Trinidad; it is close to extinction. They are large birds, 60 cm in length, and similar in general appearance to turkeys, with thin necks and small heads. They are forest birds, and the nest is built in a tree. Three large white eggs are laid, the female alone incubating. This arboreal species feeds on fruit and berries.

The Trinidad Piping-Guan is classified as Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Trinidad Piping-guan's call is a thin piping. The wings whirr in flight. Taxonomy - Formerly, all piping-guans (with the possible exception of the Black-fronted Piping-guan) were considered subspecies of a single species, the Common Piping-guan (Pipile pipile). However, analysis of mtDNA, osteology and biogeography (Grau et al. More

The Trinidad Piping-Guan, locally known as the “Pawi,” is Trinidad and Tobago's only endemic bird. In the early 20th century Pawi were common and found throughout Trinidad’s forests, from the mountain peaks to sea level. Today the species is restricted to a much narrower range. It is estimated that there are less than 200 individuals in Trinidad. The Pawi is listed as Critically Endangered (CE) by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red Data List. More

The Trinidad piping-guan (Pipile pipile) is the only species of bird endemic to the island of Trinidad. It is a medium sized cracid galliform locally known as the "pawi" and is at risk of extinction because of hunting and habitat loss. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and of Immediate Conservation Priority on the IUCN Cracid Specialist Group Action Plan. More

Habitat of the Trinidad piping-guan Trinidad piping-guan in the wild (left to right) School children at a workshop © Philip McGowan Trinidad piping-guan © Margaret Cooper Habitat of the Trinidad piping-guan © Margaret Cooper Trinidad piping-guan in the wild © Aidan Keane home | about us | publications | galliformes in the wild | specialist groups | conservation breeding policy | beginners | join | events | contact More

1 endemic species: Trinidad Piping-Guan, on 1989 Rare fauna of Trinidad & Tobago and on 2001 Definitives. More