• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a small population and is continuing to decline as a result of habitat loss and hunting. Its subpopulations are likely small. For these reasons, the species is listed as Near Threatened.

Population justification

Based on the recorded population densities (1-2.25 individuals/km² [Bloch et al. 1991] and 17.1, 2.3 and 6.7 individuals/km² [Jacobs and Walker 1999]) and the area of mapped range (16,570 km²), and assuming that between 10.3% and 11.3% of the range is occupied, the population is estimated to fall within the band 2,770-9,650 individuals, roughly equating to 1,850–6,430 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,800–6,500 mature individuals.

Trend justification
An analysis of deforestation from 2000-2012 found that forest within the species's range was lost at a rate equivalent to 1.9% across three generations (Tracewski et al. 2016). Hunting may also be contributing to declines. Overall, the species is assumed to decline at < 10% over three generations.

Penelope barbata has a restricted range in southern Ecuador (Azuay, El Oro, Loja) and northwestern Peru in Piura (Huancabamba, Ayabaca, including Aypate, El Toldo, Bosque de Cuyas and Cerro Huamingas, Maray and Cerro Chinguela [Begazo and Valqui 2000, Flanagan et al. 2000]), Lambayeque (Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge [Angulo and Aleman 2006]) and Cajamarca (Saña valley, Tabaconas-Namballe National Sanctuary [Amanzo et al. 2003]) departments. The area of suitable habitat within its range in Ecuador is estimated at c. 2,600 km² (Krabbe et al. 1998); the area of suitable habitat in Peru is probably larger. In 1989, the population in Ecuador was estimated at c.3,000 individuals (1,000-6,000), occurring at a density of 2-4 birds/km². Recent surveys, however, have produced much higher density estimates in the Cordillera de Chilla (Jacobs and Walker 1999) and at two sites in Loja, where 33 birds/km² were recorded in a relatively well-protected area at Cajanuma and 17 birds/km² were estimated in a mining area at Curishiro (Medina et al. 1994). Montane forest in Podocarpus National Park possibly holds up to 1,000 pairs (I. Franke per J. Fjeldså in litt. 1999). Since 1989, other populations have been found in Ecuador, notably on Lomo Angashcola, Loma del Oro, Mamanunga and Santiago, Loja (Wege and Long 1995, Best et al. 1996, Flanagan et al. 2000). In Peru, the species it is relatively common in the upper Saña valley, Cajamarca (I. Franke per J. Fjeldså in litt. 1999), and has recently been discovered at several sites in Ayabaca and Cajamarca (J. P. O'Neill in litt. 1999). It has also been found in La Palizada at 31,00 m in the upper Chancay Valley and in several localities along the east side of the western cordillera in Lambayeque and Cajamarca, between Kañaris and Bosque de Proteccion Pagaibamba (F. Angulo in litt. 2012).

This large frugivore inhabits humid montane forest and cloud-forest at 1,500-3,200 m, and regularly down to 1,200 m in Lambayeque. It is usually seen in pairs or small groups of up to six individuals. Its breeding ecology is poorly known, but adults with chicks have been recorded in February-July (Angulo and Aleman 2006), and juveniles have been observed in May, June and August in Bosque de Cuyas, Ayabaca (N. Krabbe in litt. 2007). A nest found in Laquipampa was situated in gallery forest in a tree c.3 m above ground (F. Angulo in litt. 2007). The species feeds on plants, especially Ficus spp. in Laquipampa (F. Angulo in litt. 2007); a recent study found that its diet consists largely of fruits from the families Lauraceae (39%), Myrtaceae (20.3%) and Meliaceae (14%) (Gomez 2006).

The main threat to the species is ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation due to clearance for pasture, agriculture and increased mining activity, both legal and illegal. Legal mining is particularly a threat in Peru, with many concessions having been granted throughout the species range. Several of these legal concessions will impact protected areas, including the Tabaconas-Namballe National Sanctuary. Within the park boundaries of the Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador, illegal gold mining and forest clearance by colonists take place, although large areas of undisturbed forest remain (Wege and Long 1995). Hunting may be a threat in key areas such as Loma Angashcola and Podocarpus National Park (Wege and Long 1995), and in Peru, where the feathers of two hunted birds were found in Salas in 2004 (F. Angulo in litt. 2007). The expansion of mining in the region and the creation of new roads improve access and may locally increase hunting. Habitat destruction is also fragmenting the species range and promoting long-term isolation of small, non-viable populations.

Conservation Actions Underway

The species is protected by law in Peru and Ecuador. It is protected within Podocarpus National Park, Tapichalaca Reserve, Huashapamba Forest Reserve, Bosque Protector Colambo-Yacuri and Angashcola Community Reserve in Ecuador; and Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge, Tabaconas-Namballe National Sanctuary, Piura/Cajamarca and Bosque de Protección Pagaibamba in Peru (J. Flanagan in litt. 2001, Brooks 2006, F. Angulo in litt. 2007, J. P. O'Neill in litt. 1999, F. Angulo in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Proposed

Research habitat requirements and basic natural history (F. Angulo in litt. 2012). Encourage the protection of more forested areas in the Andes of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Support the establishment of private reserves like Tapichalaca. Ensure adequate protection of Podocarpus National Park and increase capacity and infrastructure for park staff. Support the reserves of Angashcola and Huashapamba (Ecuador). Expand the protected habitat network in montane areas of Lambayeque, Piura and Cajamarca, including the Cerro Chinguela (Brooks 2006). Implement proposals that help support communities to establish private reserves, such as the reserve at Bosque de Cuyas, Ayabaca, and increase capacity and infrastructure for park staff at Laquipampa (Peru). Determine the effect of hunting on the population (F. Angulo in litt. 2012). Campaign to stop hunting (F. Angulo in litt. 2012). Conduct educational campaigns highlighting the importance of the species for montane forests and produce a participative conservation strategy for the species. Search for further sites where the species can be found and estimate its density (Brooks 2006).

55 cm. Small, mostly brown cracid. Dark greyish-brown upperparts and rear underparts, except silvered crown and neck feathers. Duller wings. Ill-defined rufous terminal band to tail. Lower neck and breast extensively edged whitish. Red legs and dewlap. Similar spp. Most closely resembles Band-tailed Guan P. argyrotis, from which it differs in lacking conspicuous white upperwing-covert markings, its fully feathered chin and upper throat and partially feathered tarsus. Andean Guan P. montagnii is also similar but lacks a terminal band on the tail.

Text account compilers
Symes, A., Wheatley, H., Harding, M., Isherwood, I., Benstead, P., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T.

Contributors
Angulo Pratolongo, F., Fjeldså, J., Flanagan, J., Franke, I., Krabbe, N. & O'Neill, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bearded Guan Penelope barbata. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bearded-guan-penelope-barbata on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.