Baudo Guan
A species of Typical guans Scientific name : Penelope ortoni Genus : Typical guans
Baudo Guan, A species of Typical guans
Botanical name: Penelope ortoni
Genus: Typical guans
Content
Description General Info
Description
Structurally typical for a guan, the bird is about 65 cm 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. 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.
Size
63 cm
Feeding Habits
Baudo Guan primarily forages for fruits in humid forest canopies. They feed in small groups, displaying unique dietary preferences for high-stratum fruit sources. No hunting is involved, as baudo Guan's diet is largely frugivorous.
Habitat
Baudo Guan primarily inhabits humid forests in the upper tropical zone, favoring regions with a mosaic of broken terrain including foothills and steep slopes, often found within tall primary forest ecosystems. These birds show a strong association with hardwood tree species, particularly Humiriastrum procerum, within these lush, verdant environments. Though they are adapted to lowland forest areas as well, their presence tends to avoid the arid coastal regions.
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
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.
Species Status
In Ecuador the species is protected by law. 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.