Order
Galliformes
Family
Cracidae
Genus
Penelope
 
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Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

SPECIES

Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens

Kadeem Gilbert and Thomas S. Schulenberg
Version: 1.0 — Published December 6, 2013

Conservation

Crested Guan has a large geographic distribution, and so, although the population is believed to be declining, its IUCN Red List conservation status is assessed as Least Concern (BirdLife International 2014). However, it is considered Threatened under Mexican law (NOM-059 SEMARNAT 2010). This is also a species of high concern to Partners in Flight (Berlanga et al. 2010). Based on determinations of habitat loss, Berlanga et al. (2010) estimated that 50% or more of its population has been lost in Mexico during the last century.

Effects of human activity on populations

The Crested Guan is hunted heavily in all parts of its range, and also populations are negatively affected by ongoing habitat loss and degradation (Leopold 1959, BirdLife International 2012). Conversion of its forested habitats for agriculture and livestock production are primary threats to its populations.

Recommended Citation

Gilbert, K. and T. S. Schulenberg (2013). Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.cregua1.01