From Opus

Photo by Reini
Photographed: Costa Rica, February 2005
This species often gives a very dark impression

Penelope purpurascens

[edit] Identification

86cm

• Dark brown
• Bushy crest is only raised part of the time
• Bare blue grey skin around eye
• Red wattle
• White spotted neck and breast

Photo by rdavis
Photographed: Tikal National Park, Guatemala, June 2010
In pefect light, the white speckling become more noticeable

• Rufous rump and belly
• Long red legs
• Broad, long tail
• Sexes similar
• Juvenile - black vermiculations and ochre specks on body

[edit] Similar species

In most areas the largest Guan present, but may be mistaken for Highland Guan or Baudo Guan.

[edit] Distribution

South America: found from Mexico (southern 2/3) through Central America and South America to western Ecuador and northern Venezuela.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized^[1]:

• P. p. purpurascens:

• Humid forests of Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua

• P. p. aequatorialis:

• Southern Honduras and Nicaragua to north-western Colombia and south-eastern Ecuador

• P. p. brunnescens:

• Northern Colombia to eastern Venezuela

[edit] Habitat

Lowlands up to 1000 m, rarely to 1800 or even 2500 m; everywhere found in forested areas including edges.

[edit] Behaviour

Usually foraging in canopy or subcanopy, occurring singly, in pairs, or in small groups.

[edit] Diet

They mostly eat fruits, either on the tree or those that have fallen to the ground.

[edit] Breeding

It builds a large nest from twigs and it is lined with leaves. The 2-3 large, rough, white eggs are incubated by the female.

[edit] Vocalisation

Call: plee or quonk.
Song: keLEEEErrrr

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. Wikipedia
3. BF Member observations

• List of references

[edit] External Links