The horned guan is named after the unusual red horn of bare skin on the top of its head (4). The rest of the plumage is black with a glossy blue-green sheen, apart from the foreneck, breast and a broad band on the base of the tail which are white (2). The bill is yellow, the legs are red and there is also a small dewlap of red skin on the throat. Some experts believe that the horned guan should be placed in a separate family as it appears to represent more of a mid-point between the guans and the currasows rather than belonging completely in one or other of these groups (5).
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