Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a small area in the Andes of Colombia. Its population is believed to be moderately small and divided into isolated subpopulations. Habitat loss and hunting are causing the population to decline. The species is therefore listed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
Inside protected areas, the population density ranges from 10.8 to 18.4 individuals/km2 in mature forest; the species can reach exceptionally high densities of 70-100 individuals/km2 (Kattan et al. 2014; Renjifo et al. 2014 and references therein). Outside of protected areas the population density was found to be much lower, with roughly one family group (consisting on average of 3-4 individuals) per km transect (Renjifo et al. 2014 and references therein).
Despite its ability to move through secondary habitats between forest patches (Kattan et al. 2014), it is assumed that the species forms several disjunct subpopulations, given the fragmentation of the range. Subpopulation estimates include 700 individuals (equating to c.460 mature individuals) in and around Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, 67 individuals in Yotoco (equating to c.45 mature individuals), 150 individuals in Bremen y Barbas Natural Regional Park (equating to c.100 mature individuals), and an unknown number in other parts of the range (Renjifo et al. 2014).
It is therefore estimated that the total population numbers less than 2,500 mature individuals (Renjifo et al. 2014), placed here in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Forested habitat within the range has been lost at a rate of 12% over three generations (23.1 years; Global Forest Watch 2020). This is likely exacerbated by additional impacts of forest degradation and fragmentation. The species is furthermore threatened by hunting and has already been extirpated from localities in Cauca, Dagua and Patía (Renjifo et al. 2014). Population declines are therefore precautionarily placed in the band 20-29% over three generations; it is assumed that declines go on at a similar rate into the future.
Penelope perspicax occurs on the west slopes of the West and Central Andes (Risaralda, Quindío, Valle del Cauca and Cauca), Colombia. Its current distribution is only 5% of its former range (Kattan et al. 2006). Formerly, the species was considered mostly an east slope species in the West Andes (Hilty and Brown 1986), but the only records on this slope are apparently from Yotoco Forest Reserve (Silva Arias 1996) and Río Lima (both near low passes in Valle del Cauca), the south-east slope of Cerro Munchique, Cauca, and possibly those collected above Patía, Cauca, and at Clementina (an untraced locality). The Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, together with the Ucumarí Regional Park, are thought to constitute the global stronghold for the species, with the largest cluster of habitat blocks (Kattan et al. 2006; Renjifo et al. 2014). It is assumed that historical factors or other non-autecological mechanisms (e.g. competition with other Penelopinae species) explain its restricted occurrence (Rios et al. 2008).
The species depends on large, humid, primary forest fragments (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000); it is however not restricted to these and is often recorded in plantations of exotic broadleaf trees, secondary forest and forest edge (Silva Arias 1996; Kattan et al. 2014; Renjifo et al. 2014). It is mostly found between 900 and 2,150 m, but can be found as low as 650 m and as high as 2,690 m (Renjifo et al. 2014). Breeding has been recorded in forest borders, mature secondary forest and in a Pinus plantation, and, in the north of its range, coincides with rainy periods of the year, September-October and February-March (Silva Arias 1996). The species is a generalist in habitat, diet and nest placement (Rios et al. 2008). It has a generalist frugivorous diet consisting of a wide variety of fruits, as well as insects, foliage and flowers (Muñoz et al. 2008). During periods of low fruit availability, guans relied on the young leaves of the exotic Chinese Ash Fraxinus chinensis, congregating in large groups of up to 30 individuals during November and December (Muñoz et al. 2007). This artificial habitat was used by guans for more than a quarter of the year (Rios et al. 2008).
It is not clear which factors limit the distribution and population of this species, but habitat fragmentation and hunting are likely to be the major threats (Rios et al. 2008). The species has suffered from severe loss of suitable habitat over the period of human colonisation, leading to the isolation of populations in relatively small forest patches (Renjifo et al. 2014). Deforestation has led to local extirpation in the valleys of Cauca, Dagua and Patía (Renjifo et al. 2014). Up until 2019, forest cover within the range has been lost at a rate of 11% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2020). Many of the localities of occurrence, at least historical ones, are near the Buenaventura-Buga and Buenaventura-Cali roads, and are thus threatened by further urbanisation and associated deforestation (Salaman and Stiles 1996). Moreover, the species is hunted for food; it is estimated that up to 100 individuals are hunted every year in the species's stronghold in and around the Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species's stronghold is in the protected Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary and Ucumarí Regional Park (Renjifo et al. 2014). Yotoco and Bremen y Barbas (Quindío) Forest Reserves and several other protected areas hold small populations (Renjifo et al. 2014). The species has however not been found in suitable habitat in the Munchique area since its detection just outside the national park (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000). Research into captive breeding potential is underway (Londoño and Dominguez 2005). An action plan for the species and its habitat as well as a monitoring programme have been developed (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey and estimate population sizes, especially in Ucumarí (Silva Arias 1996, P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000). Monitor the population trend. Assess and quantify the impacts of forest loss and hunting on the population. Implement the action plan for the species and its habitat. Extend captive breeding efforts. Provide posters and resources for an educational programme about cracids, particularly aimed at limiting hunting (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000).
76 cm. Medium-sized, drab cracid with bright red dewlap. Dull brownish-grey, with mainly chestnut rear parts and tail. Heavily whitish-scaled feather edges from head to mantle and breast. Similar spp. Crested Guan P. purpurascens is larger, with conspicuous streaked appearance (not scaled) and olive-brown rear parts. Andean Guan P. montagnii is smaller, with tiny dewlap, and much duller chestnut on lower back and wings. Voice Like other guans, loud, raucous honking, especially vocal during breeding season and when alarmed in groups.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Gomez, N., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cauca-guan-penelope-perspicax 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.