The bearded guan (Penelope barbata) is a small mostly brown bird that is about 55 cm large, and named for it red dewlap (or beard) While most of the bird is brown, it has dark grayish-brown upper parts and rear underparts as well as a silver crown and neck feathers.

The bird also has white feathers edging its neck and breast, red legs, and a rufous tail.

The bearded guan (Penelope barbata) lives at an altitude of 1200–3000 m in a humid environment located in northwest Peru and southern Ecuador.

The greatest threat to the bearded guan (Penelope barbata) is deforestation for agriculture and mining.

Bearded guan (Penelope barbata) are a monogamous, territorial species that mate at the beginning of the rain season (March–July).