Spix's Guan

Penelope jacquacu

Guans are relatively large birds that live in South and Central America, and this particular species is found in the countries like Colombia, Venezuela  Brazil, and Ecuador. They inhabit the wet lowland forests that are found within that international range.

Spix's Guan has brown feathers with white flecks, a small head, and a very bright red wattle. If you can't identify them by sight you may be able to my sound. They make loud yelling noises at night, and at dawn and dusk they do what is called a "wing rattle." The birds stretch out their wings and shake them while moving from tree to tree.

Currently the Spix's Guan has a large range and population size. However, that population is on the decline, and habitat loss may require re-evaluation of their conservation status.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South America
Size : Body Length up to 6in (16cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Cracidae -- Genus : Penelope -- Species : P. jacquacu

Image : Arthur Chapman