The strange, ancient bird hiding in Mexico’s cloud forests
The endangered horned guan is found only Guatemala and parts of Chiapas, but this strange and wonderful bird is worth seeing in the wild, writes Bob Pateman. The post The strange, ancient bird hiding in Mexico’s cloud forests appeared first on Mexico News Daily
In the 1840s, Don Joaquín Quiñones found an unusual bird deep within Guatemala's Guatemalan jungle. The bird was collected and later sent to experts, including Edward Smith-Stanley, who recognized it as a new species and named it Oreophasis derbianus, or the horned guan. This distinctive bird, with its striking red "horn" on its forehead, has long puzzled ornithologists due to its limited natural habitat and small population.
Today, researchers are working tirelessly to protect the horned guan as it faces the threats of climate change and dwindling habitats. Despite its rarity, sightings of the horned guan are possible, but only with the help of experienced local guides and a challenging trek through the forests on mountain slopes in Chiapas and southern Guatemala. The bird's secretive nature and the difficulties in estimating its population make conservation efforts even more crucial.
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