Pava Canosa
Band-tailed Guan
Penelope argyrotis
Song
Band-tailed Guan
Appearance: The Band-tailed Guan is about 66 cm (26 in) in length with a wingspan of roughly 46-57 cm (18-22 in). It has a mostly dark plumage with a bronze-green gloss on the upperparts and a pale gray head. The bird has a distinctive band of white on its tail, giving it its name. It has small red wattles at the base of the bill, and the legs are grayish.
Habitat: The Band-tailed Guan is primarily found in humid montane forests and cloud forests in the Andes mountains of Colombia. It is typically seen at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2800 meters above sea level.
Behavior: Band-tailed Guans are usually seen in small groups or family units, often foraging on fruits, seeds, and insects in the forest canopy. They are known for their loud, resonant calls that echo through the forest. Like many cracid species, they spend much of their time on the forest floor but roost and nest in the trees.
Breeding: Band-tailed Guans usually breed during the rainy season when food is abundant. They build their nests in trees, where the female lays a small number of eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks once they hatch.
Conservation Status: The Band-tailed Guan is classified as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN.
Distribution
Eastern Andes: It extends into the departments of Boyacá, Cundinamarca, and Huila, where it inhabits similar forest types.
Taxonomy
The Band-tailed Guan (Penelope argyrotis)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Cracidae
- Genus: Penelope
- Species: Penelope argyrotis
Vocalization
Contact Calls: Band-tailed guans use contact calls to keep in touch with members of their group while foraging or moving through their territory. These calls help the group stay together and maintain social cohesion.
Alarm Calls: When band-tailed guans perceive a threat or danger, they produce alarm calls to alert other members of the group. These alarm calls are often loud and distinctive, serving as a warning signal for potential predators or disturbances.
Advertising Calls: During the breeding season or to establish territorial boundaries, band-tailed guans may use specific advertising calls. These calls can signal their presence to other individuals in the vicinity and may play a role in attracting mates or deterring intruders.
Courtship Calls: Male band-tailed guans may use specific vocalizations during courtship displays to attract females and communicate their readiness to mate. These calls are often unique to the breeding season and can vary in tone and intensity.
