Penelope jacucaca
The White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca) is a striking, medium-sized cracid, typically measuring 65-70 cm (25.5-27.5 inches) in length with a robust build and a predominantly dark, iridescent greenish-black plumage. Its most distinctive feature, and the source of its common name, is the prominent white supercilium that extends from the base of the bill over the eye. This is complemented by bare bluish-grey facial skin and a conspicuous red gular wattle hanging from its throat. Belonging to t...
The White-browed Guan primarily inhabits the humid and semi-deciduous primary and mature secondary forests of the highly threatened Atlantic Forest biome in eastern Brazil. It can be found from sea level up to approximately 1,000 meters in elevation, occasionally venturing into disturbed forest e...
Primarily frugivorous, its diet consists mainly of fruits, seeds, and flowers gleaned directly from trees and shrubs. It occasionally supplements this with invertebrates, especially during the breeding season.
This diurnal species is largely arboreal, spending most of its time foraging high in the canopy, though it may occasionally descend to lower levels or even the ground. Primarily frugivorous, it employs gleaning techniques to select fruits, seeds, and flowers directly from branches. White-browed G...
The White-browed Guan is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of eastern Brazil, where its distribution is highly fragmented. Its current range is restricted to parts of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo states, with historical records also indicating its presence further south into Rio de ...
Vulnerable
- The genus name "Penelope" refers to a kind of duck or swan in ancient Greek literature, perhaps alluding to the guans' occasional aquatic habits, though this species is mostly arboreal. - The White-browed Guan plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as an important seed disperser, aiding in fores...