[2] Based on that evidence and the members' personal knowledge, the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society elevated it to species rank in December 2020, and the International Ornithological Congress followed suit in January 2021.

Feathers of the neck, back, and chest have white edges that are significantly larger than those of P. obscura.

[6] The Yungas guan eats fruit and leaves with the proportions and species of each varying throughout its range.

Though the bird is generally sedentary, it is thought to change its elevation in different seasons.

However, the Argentinian Dirección General de Fauna considers it vulnerable in that country because it is heavily hunted for food and sport.