Bird Guide

Band-tailed Guan vs Spix's Guan

Band-tailed Guan (Penelope argyrotis)

Band-tailed Guan

Penelope argyrotis

Large807 gForest

The band-tailed guan is 50 to 61 cm (1.6 to 2.0 ft) long. Males weigh 686 to 981 g (1.5 to 2.2 lb) and females 625 to 900 g (1.4 to 2.0 lb). The nominate subspecies' upperparts are blackish-brown to dark rufous with conspicuous white streaks. Its breast is olive brown and belly is pale to medium brown. Its face is pale grey to white and it has a prominent red dewlap. It gets its name from the wide chestnut band across the end of the tail. P. a. albicauda differs from the nominate by having buffy tips on the tail feathers. P. a.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: nmoorhatch · 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: Band-tailed Guan and Spix's Guan.