White-winged Guan

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White-winged Guan
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Cracidae
Genus: Penelope
Species: P. albipennis
Binomial name
Penelope albipennis
Taczanowski, 1878

The White-winged Guan, Penelope albipennis is a bird in the chachalaca, guan and curassow family Cracidae.

This species survives in Lambayeque, Cajamarca and Piura, north-west Peru. These are large birds, 70 cm in length, and similar in general appearance to turkeys, with thin necks and small heads.

This bird has dark brown plumage with white primaries. It has pale flecking on the neck, upper breast and wing-coverts. It has an extensive, bare orange-red throat and double-lobed dewlap, a blue bill with black tip, and purple facial skin around eye. Its voice is a very deep, hoarse och..och...och, especially during breeding season.

This bird is critically endangered due to a severe loss of suitable habitat, and is also hunted for food. The current population estimate is less than 250 individuals. The Laquipampa Reserved Zone was created specifically to protect this species. The largest population is now found in the Chaparri Private Conservation Area in Lambayeque where it has been successfully reintroduced.

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