Bearded guan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bearded guan |
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Penelope
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barbata
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The bearded guan (Penelope barbata) is a special kind of bird that lives in the forests of Ecuador and Peru. It belongs to a family of birds called Cracidae, which also includes chachalacas and curassows. This bird is named for the unique red "beard" or dewlap under its chin. Sadly, its home is shrinking because of habitat loss, which means it's a species that needs our help.
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What Does the Bearded Guan Look Like?
The bearded guan is a medium-sized bird, usually about 55 centimeters (about 22 inches) long. Most of its body is brown. It has darker grayish-brown feathers on its upper parts and under its tail. Its head and neck feathers are a shiny silver color.
You can spot this bird by the white edges on its neck and chest feathers. It also has bright red legs and a reddish-brown tail. The most interesting part is its red dewlap, which looks like a beard, giving the bird its name.
Where Does the Bearded Guan Live?
The Bearded Guan's Forest Home
The bearded guan lives in humid, misty forests high up in the mountains. You can find them at altitudes between 1,200 and 3,000 meters (about 3,900 to 9,800 feet). Their natural home is in the northwest part of Peru and the southern part of Ecuador. These areas are known for their wet, tropical mountain forests.
Why Is the Bearded Guan in Danger?
Protecting the Bearded Guan's Habitat
The biggest danger to the bearded guan is the loss of its forest home. People are cutting down trees (deforestation) to make space for farms. They also clear land for mining activities. When forests are destroyed, these birds lose their food, shelter, and places to raise their young. This makes it harder for them to survive and thrive.
What Does the Bearded Guan Eat?
The Guan's Forest Diet
Scientists don't know much about what the bearded guan eats specifically. However, we do know what other guans generally eat. Guans typically enjoy a variety of fruits and berries found in their forest homes. They also munch on leaves, flowers, and sometimes even insects. This varied diet helps them get all the nutrients they need.
How Does the Bearded Guan Reproduce?
Raising Young Guans
Bearded guans are known to be monogamous. This means a male and female bird will stay together as a pair. They also protect their territory. They usually start mating at the beginning of the rainy season, which is from March to July.
Most guan species can start having babies when they are about two years old. They can continue to reproduce until they are around twenty years old. A pair of guans will typically lay about three eggs. The female bird then sits on the eggs to keep them warm, a process called incubation. This usually takes between 24 and 28 days until the chicks hatch.
See also
In Spanish: Pava barbada para niños
