Bird Guide

Andean Guan vs Spix's Guan

Andean Guan (Penelope montagnii)

Andean Guan

Penelope montagnii

Large706 gForest

These are medium-sized birds, measuring about 40–58 centimetres (16–23 in) in length and weighing about 500–840 g (1.1–1.9 lb). They are long-bodied with thin necks and small heads, and similar in shape to turkeys but more slender and elegant. The plumage is overall brown with whitish edging to the feathers of the head, neck and chest. It has a red dewlap and reddish legs. In the Conover Collection of the Field Museum, there is a hypopigmented female specimen of the subspecies atrogularis taken December 20, 1929, at Pucará (west Ecuador).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Andean Guan
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call · Azuay: upper Yunguilla Valley, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: desertnaturalist · CC BY 4.0
Spix's Guan (Penelope jacquacu)

Spix's Guan

Penelope jacquacu

Large1.5 kgForest

The four subspecies of Spix's guan differ in weight and plumage, and there are intergrades between them. Their length is 66–76 cm (26–30 in). The male and female nominate P. j. jacquacu weigh 1.24–1.36 kg (2.7–3.0 lb) and 1.14 kg (2.5 lb) respectively. The male P. j. orienticola weighs 1.40–1.78 kg (3.1–3.9 lb) and the female 1.27–1.72 kg (2.8–3.8 lb). The nominate subspecies is bronzy olive green above and bright reddish below. "Grant's" is much darker; the upper parts have a blue-green gloss and the red underside is dark. P. j.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Patty Ho · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Guan and Spix's Guan.