The 'true' (Penelope) guans also occur at a range of altitudes but like most species of cracids, are mostly restricted to forest, both montane and lowland. Piping-guans (Pipile) are primarily lowland species, whereas numerous monospecific (single-species genus) taxa of guans (i.e. Aburria, Penelopina, Oreophasis) are restricted to montane environments.
Most guans move among only the most rewarding trees, those having the largest fruit crops and/or the greatest reward per fruit. Nevertheless, solitary individuals and some guan groups - as well as the first-mentioned guans, once they deplete the fruit crops in the most popular trees - are stuck with the less rewarding trees.
The Crested Guan is a large, brown, turkeylike bird most frequently seen peering down from the treetops as it searches for fruit an leaves that make up its diet. As its name implies, this bird has a feathered crest that is frequently raised as it relates to nearby guans or to potential danger.