Cauca Guan
Penelope perspicax
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<birdfyi-bird slug="penelope-perspicax"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-large cracid (~1.2 kg) of family Cracidae, with olive-brown plumage and a red throat wattle. Endemic to the upper Cauca Valley of Colombia at 1,200–2,400 m elevation. Inhabits remnant humid Andean forests. Arboreal, feeding on fruits and seeds. Vulnerable due to severe deforestation in one of Colombia's most densely populated valleys and ongoing hunting pressure.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 65.0 cm | 25.6 in |
| Weight | 1197.0 g | 42.22 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark brownish-black above; neck and breast streaked white; bare red throat skin; lower underparts deep rufous-chestnut; back faintly glossed; tail dark brown. White streaking is bolder than in most Penelope guans.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Endemic to the Cauca Valley of Colombia. Found in humid forest remnants at 1,000-2,000 m. Critically endangered.
Diet & Feeding
Frugivorous; eats fruits, berries, and leaves in Colombian Cauca Valley forests. Critically endangered with very restricted range.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Incubation: 29 days.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Produces a loud, honking cackle and powerful wing-whirring display. Critically endangered; calls carry across Colombian Cauca Valley forest fragments; wing-whirr is diagnostic.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Cracidae (Chachalacas, Guans & Curassows) |
| Genus | Penelope |
| Species | Penelope perspicax |
Distribution
Cauca Guan has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cauca Guan eat?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Cracidae family