White-winged Guan (Penelope albipennis)

Identification & Behavior: ~72 cm (28.3 in). The White-winged Guan is all brown with pale specks on the neck, upper back, and breast. They have gray bare skin around the eyes and face. Sexes are similar and have a bright red throat and dewlap. The White-winged Guan has white primary flight feathers, hence the name. It is the only large Penelope Guan in its restricted range.  Also, see Crested Guan and Spix’s Guan.

Status: Endemic. Formerly more widespread, but now restricted to a few forested ravines in the departments of Piura and Lambayeque at elevations ranging from 300 to 1200 m. The White-winged Guan was thought to be extinct for about 100 years. The species has been brought from the brink of extinction and now is found in relict populations in semi-humid deciduous forests.

Name in Spanish: Pava de Ala Blanca.

Sub-species: White-winged Guan (Penelope albipennis) Taczanowski, 1878.

Meaning of Name: Penelope: L. Pene=quasi or similar to, and lothos=crest. Albipennis: L. albus=white, pennis=winged.

See more of the Family Cracidae