Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax Scientific name definitions

Endemic to Colombia, the Cauca Guan is currently treated as Endangered by BirdLife International on account of it having a small and apparently declining range on the west slopes of the West and Central Andes. This guan is largely dependent on primary forest, although in some areas it has adapted to plantations, and is chiefly found at elevations between 900 and 2150 m. It is a medium-sized, drably colored cracid with bright red dewlap. The Cauca Guan is mainly dull brownish gray, except for the mainly chestnut rear underparts and tail; the feathers of the head to mantle and breast are scaled whitish. In addition to habitat destruction and fragmentation, which is ongoing, the Cauca Guan still apparently suffers from some direct human persecution, even within protected areas.

c. 76 cm; mean 1197 g (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ). Back, rump, wings , belly and tail mainly rich chestnut ; belly and thighs have some inconspicuous darker markings. Heavily whitish-scaled feather edges from head to mantle and breast . Outer tail feathers darker than those of centre. Juvenile apparently undescribed, but presumably much like adult as in other Penelope (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Larger P. purpurascens has conspicuously streaked (not scaled) appearance and olive-brown rear body, while smaller P. montagnii has tiny dewlap, and much duller chestnut lower back and wings.

Scattered localities in W Colombia, on both slopes of W Andes and W slopes of C Andes; almost wholly confined to middle and upper Cauca Valley (Risaralda, Quindío, Valle del Cauca and Cauca). Much rarer on W slopes of W Andes, where seen mainly in low passes.

Humid forest in upper tropical and subtropical zones, mainly between 1200 m and 2100 m, but has been recorded down to 816 m and as high as 2690 m (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Occurs both in primary forest and second growth, and even in groves near tracks and plantations of exotic trees such as Chinese ash Fraxinus sinensis (Oleaceae), where the species has locally been recorded at very high densities seasonally (3 Kattan, G.H., León, A., Corredor, G., Beltrán, W. and Parada, M. (2006). Distribution and population density of the Endangered Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Bird Conservation International. 16(4): 299–307. Close ), and Pinus patula (Pinaceae) (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), but usually only if large fragments of mature forest exist close by (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Nonetheless, the species does appear to be able to breed in suboptimal habitat (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Spends most time in middle and upper strata (> 10 m above the ground), but descends lower especially at edges (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ).

No information available; presumably sedentary.

Mid-1990s study of diet revealed that 97·1% of feeding observations related to 13 species of fruiting plants , which in numerical importance were: Cecropia spp. (Urticaceae), Faramea sp. (Rubiaceae), Stylogyne sp. (Myrsinaceae), Guettarda crispiflora (Rubiceae), Ficus obtusifolia, Ficus sp. (Moraceae), Siparuna aspera (Siparunaceae), Clusia sp. (Clusiaceae), Miconia coronata (Melastomataceae), Inga sp. (Fabaceae) and Brunellia comocladifolia (Brunelliaceae) (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ); other species recorded through incidental observations include Dendropanax sp. (Araliaceae ), the exotic Chinese ash Fraxinus sinensis (Oleaceae) and Solanum sp. (Solanaceae); the ash, planted as part of a revegetation programme, is considered to be very important seasonally (3 Kattan, G.H., León, A., Corredor, G., Beltrán, W. and Parada, M. (2006). Distribution and population density of the Endangered Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Bird Conservation International. 16(4): 299–307. Close ). An additional study, in early 2000s, at a second locality, yielded records of fruits of 89 species (pertaining to many of same families), sometimes when not even ripe (Symplocos quindiuensis, Symplocaceae, Turpinia occidentalis Staphylaceae, and Vismia guianensis, Clusiaceae), but also leaves of four species and foliage of two, in a ratio of 67·5%, 26·8% and 1·1%, respectively (4 Muñoz, M.C., Londoño, G.A., Ríos, M.M. and Kattan, G.H. (2007). Diet of the Cauca Guan: exploitation of a novel food source in times of scarcity. Condor. 109(4): 841–851. Close ). Same study revealed concentration on certain high-protein fruits during breeding period, despite abundance of fruiting plants of broad range of species, and that Fraxinus leaves (both young and, especially, mature) were preferentially selected during Sept–Dec, when other foods were generally scarce (4 Muñoz, M.C., Londoño, G.A., Ríos, M.M. and Kattan, G.H. (2007). Diet of the Cauca Guan: exploitation of a novel food source in times of scarcity. Condor. 109(4): 841–851. Close ). Apparently also ingests small pebbles (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Young in captivity eat many insects, and adults (typically in groups of up to seven) also recorded taking invertebrates flushed by Labidus praedator army ants, principally between Apr and Sept (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close , 5 Rios, M., Londoño, G. and Biancucci, L. (2008). Notes on birds that follow army ants in the northern Andes. Orn. Neotropical 19(1): 137–142. Close ). Forages in flocks of up to 30 birds (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ), more usually 3–6 birds (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), sometimes with other species of birds (e.g. cotingas and toucans) and mammals, from low trees and shrubs almost to canopy, mainly 2–20 m above ground level (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ).

In general, like other guans, loud, raucous honking, especially during breeding season and when alarmed. Few published details: ‘song’ (sometimes given chorus) is a very loud, repeated “chiriwichi, chiriwichi, chiriwichi...” mainly given in early morning and especially between Feb and Jun; in contact gives a soft downslurred whistle, which is used to regroup flock members following disturbance; and utters a rapid series of loud “quan...quan” notes in alarm  , which sometimes speed-up noticeably, e.g. when fleeing human observer (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Young maintain contact with adults using a sibilant “piiiiuuuu, piiiuuuu”, which starts loudest (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ).

Breeding apparently coincides with wet seasons and period of peak fruit abundance, suggested to be in Sept–Oct and Feb–Mar (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ) or mainly (Dec)Jan–Jun (with young from Mar) (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ); nest in Feb, of dry leaves and hidden by ferns in Pinus patula (Pinaceae) stump c. 1·8 m above ground; another in Sept, of thin branches lined with dry leaves, surrounded by ferns and lianas on fallen Myrcia (Myrciaceae) tree (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ); and one in Dec was c. 1 m above ground, constructed of leaves and stems of a Gleichenia sp. fern and had outside dimensions of 34 cm (diameter) by 25 cm (depth) (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ); one juvenile, one-third grown, collected in Mar. Clutch two white eggs, size 73·9–78·9 mm × 49–53·4 mm, mass 94–96 g (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close , 1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ), incubated by female alone, 29 days in captivity (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Chick similar to that of P. montagnii, has black crown with white superciliary, dark wings with pale bars on wing-coverts, rufous mantle and breast, pale throat and white belly (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Young adult-like at c. 5 months (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), but remain with adults for c. 1 year (1 Ríos, M.M., Muñoz, M.C. and Londoño, G.A. (2006). Historia natural de la Pava Caucana (Penelope perspicax). Orn. Colombiana. 4: 16–27. Close ). No further information available.

ENDANGERED. Populations largely protected, but vigilance needed. Historical range of 24,900 km² reduced to just 750 km², and this heavily fragmented (3 Kattan, G.H., León, A., Corredor, G., Beltrán, W. and Parada, M. (2006). Distribution and population density of the Endangered Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Bird Conservation International. 16(4): 299–307. Close ). Considered not uncommon in early 20th century, but much scarcer since then, mainly as a result of habitat loss; total population now thought to number fewer than 1000 individuals. Prior to mid 1980s, scarcity of recent records and almost complete destruction of forest in middle Cauca Valley led to belief that species was possibly extinct, or very nearly so. However, observations and capture of live birds showed that small but stable populations remained, at least in a few areas. In mid 1990s, largest numbers were apparently in SE Risaralda and N Quindío, especially in Ucumarí Regional Park (4240 ha, where density apparently quite high, with 16 birds counted over two days in 1990), Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary (489 ha, population 144–264 individuals) (3 Kattan, G.H., León, A., Corredor, G., Beltrán, W. and Parada, M. (2006). Distribution and population density of the Endangered Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Bird Conservation International. 16(4): 299–307. Close ) and Bremen Forest Reserve (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Also receives protection in Bosque de Yotoco Reserve (559 ha, population estimated at 35–61 birds) (3 Kattan, G.H., León, A., Corredor, G., Beltrán, W. and Parada, M. (2006). Distribution and population density of the Endangered Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Bird Conservation International. 16(4): 299–307. Close ), where squatters have been effectively excluded; known only from fringes of Munchique National Park and not seen there recently, although extensive forest remains. Recently observed in La Sirena reserve and Chorro de Plata, a private reserve on outskirts of Cali (3 Kattan, G.H., León, A., Corredor, G., Beltrán, W. and Parada, M. (2006). Distribution and population density of the Endangered Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Bird Conservation International. 16(4): 299–307. Close ). Forest destruction is main threat, but hunting has probably also contributed to decline; poaching is widespread in Ucumarí Regional Park and Munchique National Park. Captive-breeding programme underway at Cali Zoo (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ).