Scientific Name: Penelope purpurascens

Very large, long-tailed game bird of tropical and subtropical forest. Often seen high in trees or flying through the forest canopy; usually not seen in areas near people except in some protected areas due to hunting pressure. Typically in pairs or small groups and wary. Plumage dark overall (often looks blackish) with bright red throat wattle; white streaking on body visible at closer range. Crest is bushy and usually not a striking feature.

During the early morning hours, these arboreal birds are highly vocal, making their presence known through a series of loud, raucous honking calls and structural wing-rattling displays that echo through the forest. They play a crucial ecological role as seed dispersers for many native tree species, consuming a wide variety of fruits and insects. When startled, they crash heavily through the branches, giving away their position despite their dark, cryptic plumage.