Baudo Guan
Penelope ortoni
Medium-sized turkeylike bird restricted to very wet rainforest in lowlands and foothills of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. It is dark brown with white streaks on the underparts and a red dewlap. Similar to the more common Crested Guan, but is smaller, browner (lacking chestnut on the belly and tail), and shows little or no crest. Baudo Guan is usually found in small groups high in the trees, and is very sensitive to habitat alteration; it is rarely encountered away from remote, relatively undisturbed areas.
Identification
Structurally typical for a guan, the bird is about 65 cm (26 in) tall and the body is mostly dark brown. On the breast and neck there are regular, small white patches. Around the neck and head the brown is slightly darker and tending to greyish-brown, making the patching more visible. The head is plain, a feature that distinguishes this species from all other species of Guan living in that region of South America: all other guans of the same genus have pale markings on the head. Both the legs and the dewlap are red, but the dewlap is brighter and more visible than the legs.<p>Territorial calls are made around dawn, a far-carrying guttural bawling waou. The birds warn each other of the approach of human with low, soft, and prolonged rising whistles. The alarm call of konh-konh-konh-konh, is repeated several time, but is rarely heard. This alarm call is also shared by other Penelope species.
Taxonomy
Its closest living relatives are the Band-tailed Guan (Penelope argyrotis), Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax), Dusky-legged Guan (Penelope obscura), White-crested Guan (Penelope pileata) and the White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca). All of these species can also be found in South America, ranging between Columbia and Brazil.It was previously considered a subspecies of the Andean Guan, but discovery of overlapping populations in western Colombia and southwest Ecuador with no evidence for introgression has led to specific treatment more recently.The scientific name commemorates the United States naturalist James Orton[citation needed].
- Scientific name
- Penelope ortoni
- Authority
- Salvin, 1874
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Cracidae
- Genus
- Penelope
Range and habitat
Found in Colombia and in Ecuador, on the lower slopes and at the base of the west Andean foothills. There are no confirmed recent records of its presence anywhere south of Pichincha in Ecuador. Its living range and population size has certainly decreased significantly recently. In 2002 the population at one site in Ecuador was estimated to be between 2500 and 7500 adult individuals, with extrapolations based on widespread transects between 1997 and 2006 leading to an extrapolated global population of 7000-21000 mature individuals.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
In Ecuador the species is protected by law[citation needed].Many areas inhabited by the species are poorly known so a first priority for conservation has been implementing population monitoring programs and surveying areas of its habitat. This allows the identification of regions which are poorly protected at the moment and ma help extend protected areas in Nariño and Esmeraldas.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Somali Tit
Melaniparus thruppi
A typical tit with a black, white, and gray pattern. The black bib continues as a dark stripe down the center of the underparts. There are white edgings on much of the wing. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub, usually in pairs or small groups, and readily joins mixed flocks. Gives typical tit vocalizations including the classic “dree di-di-di” call and other whistled and chattering calls.
Picazuro Pigeon
Patagioenas picazuro
A common pigeon frequently seen in a range of habitats from urban areas to savannas and light woodlands. Large with a purple-and-gray scaly body and a silvery patch at the side of the neck. In flight has distinctive black flight feathers and pale gray wingbars. The song is a low and monotonous “wuu-pupuh, wuu-pupuh”.
Chapman's Bristle-Tyrant
Pogonotriccus chapmani
Tiny flycatcher of tepui highlands. Appears plain olive-green above and pale yellow below, with bold buffy wing bars and longish tail. Generally uncommon in humid forest above 800 meters, where pairs or small family groups forage actively, sallying to foliage for insects, usually in terminal leaf clusters. Often found with mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations include a distinctive, two- or three-noted descending call, with a squeezed quality; may also give a high, thin rattling trill when excited. Unlikely to be mistaken for other species in its limited range.
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