Highland guan

Highland guan
male
Conservation status
Vulnerable(IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Cracidae
Genus:	Penelopina Reichenbach,1861
Species:	P. nigra
Binomial name
Penelopina nigra (Fraser,1852)

Thehighland guan(Penelopina nigra) is a species ofbirdin the familyCracidae.It is found in the highlands ofEl Salvador,Guatemala,Honduras,southernMexico,andNicaragua.

Its naturalhabitatis subtropical or tropical moistmontane forest.Its population has declined much in recent times: Listed as a species of Least Concern in 1994, it was uplisted to Near Threatened in 2000 and, as it was determined to be less common than previously believed, to Vulnerable in the 2007IUCN Red List.

Description

Male (blue-black) and female (brown)

The highland guan grows to a length of 590 to 650 millimetres (23 to 26 in). The plumage of the male is black, the upper parts glossed with green or blue, the underparts rather duller. The iris of the eye is reddish-brown and there is reddish-brown or purplish bare skin around and behind the eye. The beak, the bare skin on the throat, the largewattle,the legs and feet are reddish-orange. The female, by contrast, is black, heavily mottled and barred with reddish-brown and cinnamon, with a red beak and bare skin round the beak, and purplish bare skin round the eye.

Taxonomy

The threesyntype specimensofPenelope nigerFraser (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1850 (1852), p.246, pl.XXIX.) are held in the collections ofNational Museums LiverpoolatWorld Museum,with accession numbers D484 (male adult) and D484a (female adult) and D484b (male adult). The specimens came to the Liverpool national collection via the13th Earl of Derby’s collection which was bequeathed to the people of Liverpool in 1851. D484 and D484a were purchased fromMess. Leadbeaterin September 1843 while D484b died at the menagerie atKnowsley Hallon 5 August 1850.

Distribution and habitat

The highland guan is found on either side of the mountain ranges inCentral America.InMexicoit is uncommon, but it is present in moderate numbers in theEl Triunfo Biosphere Reserve.It is also common in some localities inGuatemala,but rather rarer inHonduras,north-centralNicaraguaandEl Salvador,and it may be extinct in El Salvador. Its habitat is humid broad-leaved mountain forests, mainlycloud forestsandpine-oak forests,but it has also been observed in secondary forests and plantations. The bird forages for fruit, in the trees and on theleaf litter.

Status

The highland guan is thought to be decreasing in numbers. The main threats it faces are the destruction of its forest habitat, and being hunted for food. TheInternational Union for Conservation of Naturehas assessed its conservation status as "vulnerable".

References

• BirdLife International (2007a): [2006-2007 Red List status changes]. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
• BirdLife International (2007b):Highland Guan - BirdLife Species Factsheet.Retrieved 26 August 2007.