Penelope dabbenei
The Red-faced Guan (Penelope dabbenei) is a striking, medium-sized cracid, typically measuring 63-69 cm (25-27 inches) in length and weighing between 1.2-1.6 kg (2.6-3.5 lbs). Its plumage is predominantly dark olive-brown, often appearing glossy blue-black in certain lights, with distinct whitish scaling on the neck and upper breast, creating a beautiful contrast. The most distinctive field mark, giving the species its name, is the bright, bare red skin covering the lores, orbital area, and c...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, especially cloud forests and humid pre-montane evergreen forests, at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 meters (3,300-8,200 feet).
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fruits, seeds, flowers, and leaves from trees and shrubs; forages mainly in the forest canopy but occasionally on the ground.
The Red-faced Guan is a diurnal species, generally active during the day and roosting arboreally in dense vegetation at night. They are predominantly arboreal foragers, moving deliberately through the forest canopy to pluck fruits, leaves, and flowers, but will occasionally descend to the forest ...
The Red-faced Guan is endemic to the Andean slopes of southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, where it is a year-round resident. Its distribution includes the provinces of Tarija in Bolivia, extending south into Argentina through Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca. This species is non-migr...
Least Concern
- The vivid red facial skin of the Red-faced Guan is not feathered, but bare skin that flushes brighter when the bird is excited or displaying. - This guan is a monotypic species, meaning it has no recognized subspecies, making its distinct features unique within its kind. - Its loud, honking cal...