Andean Guan

The most widespread species of guan in the Andes, the Andean Guan is distributed in montane temperate forests from Venezuela south to Bolivia. The Andean Guan is a medium‑large, arboreal bird with a long tail, slender neck, and overall dark brown plumage intricately scalloped with buff, giving it a textured, almost scaled appearance. Its bare facial skin is reddish, the eye is bright, and its broad wings and graceful posture make it surprisingly elegant as it moves quietly through the canopy. When perched, it often appears elongated and alert, blending into the forest shadows despite its size.

• Species eBird Ecuador Link: Andean Guan

In Ecuador, the Andean Guan inhabits humid montane and cloud forests along both Andean slopes, generally between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. It occurs locally but can be fairly common in well‑preserved habitat, especially in protected areas where hunting pressure is low. The species is most often encountered in pairs or small family groups feeding on fruits high in the canopy or gliding between trees along forested ridges.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Andean Guan is its quiet, almost ghostlike presence: despite its size, it often slips through dense foliage with minimal noise. Its soft, resonant hooting calls carry far through the misty forest, especially at dawn, giving cloud forests an unmistakable atmospheric soundtrack. The species also shows strong site fidelity, often using the same roosting and feeding trees for years, which makes it a reliable—if sometimes elusive—symbol of healthy Andean forests.