Spix's Guan

About the Spix's Guan

Spix's guan (Penelope jacquacu) is a species of bird in the family Cracidae. It is "the prototypical cracid of the Amazonian lowlands." The common name commemorates the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix (1782-1826).

Four subspecies of Spix's guan are recognized, "Grant's" guan (P. j. granti) and the "Spix's guan" group of P. j. jacquacu, P. j. orienticola, and P. j. speciosa. It was at times considered conspecific with dusky-legged guan (P. obscura) or crested guan (P. purpurascens). P. j. speciosa was once considered a race of dusky-legged guan, and "Grant's guan" was formerly considered a separate species.

The four subspecies of Spix's guan differ in weight and plumage, and there are intergrades between them. Their length is 66–76 cm (26–30 in). The male and female nominate P. j. jacquacu weigh 1.24–1.36 kg (2.7–3.0 lb) and 1.14 kg (2.5 lb) respectively. The male P. j. orienticola weighs 1.40–1.78 kg (3.1–3.9 lb) and the female 1.27–1.72 kg (2.8–3.8 lb). The nominate subspecies is bronzy olive green above and bright reddish below. "Grant's" is much darker; the upper parts have a blue-green gloss and the red underside is dark... Wikipedia →