Band-tailed Guan

Overview

The band-tailed guan (Penelope argyrotis) is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, native to Colombia and Venezuela. It comprises three subspecies, with the nominate form being restricted to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Identification

• Length 50–61 cm, with males weighing 686–981 g and females 625–900 g.
• Upperparts are blackish-brown to dark rufous with conspicuous white streaks; breast is olive brown and belly is pale to medium brown.
• Face is pale grey to white with a prominent red dewlap.
• Distinguishing wide chestnut band across the end of the tail.

Habitat

Mostly inhabits dense wet virgin forest, though sometimes found in secondary forest, shade coffee plantations, and the upper reaches of drier forest. Ranges in elevation from 550 to 2,000 m in Colombia and usually 800 to 2,400 m in Venezuela.

Diet

Forages in groups of up to six, though more may feed in fruit-laden trees. Feeds on fruit, usually in the mid-story, but will also eat fallen fruit on the ground.

Did you know?

Uses a wing-rattling display to announce territories, sounding like "canvas ripping forward, then in reverse".