What does guan mean?
The guan is a common name for several large, long-tailed birds in the cracid family, a group represented in English by the domestic guinea fowl. Most guans live in the Neotropics, and the name is especially associated with species of the genus Penelope, whose birds have slender bodies, conspicuous throat wattles or knobs, and often blue or patterned facial skin. They are mainly forest birds and feed largely on fruit, leaves, seeds, and occasionally small animals. In general writing, guan names the kind of bird rather than a particular species, so a more exact name such as horned guan may be needed in an ornithological context. The word entered English through Spanish, which borrowed it from Taíno, the Indigenous language of the Caribbean. Although less familiar than many standard bird names, guan remains a useful and evocative term for this distinctive branch of the world's galliform birds.
nounAny of various large, long-tailed birds in the family Cracidae, especially those of the genus Penelope, found in tropical America. Guans generally have slender bodies, prominent throat wattles or knobs, and often colorful or patterned facial skin.
- Any of various large, long-tailed cracid birds native to tropical America, especially birds of the genus Penelope.
"A guan moved quietly through the forest understory, pausing to feed on fallen fruit."
"The spotted guan fed on fruit in the upper branches of a rainforest tree."
"The sighting was identified as a guan because of the bird's long tail and prominent throat wattle."
The standard plural is guans, pronounced like the singular.
"Two guans perched on a branch above the forest floor."
The guan's name is a Spanish borrowing from Taíno, preserving a sound from the Indigenous language of the Caribbean.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does guan come from?
English borrowed the word from Spanish guan, which in turn came from Taíno, an Indigenous language of the Caribbean. The Taíno word referred to a large New World bird and entered Spanish during early colonial contact. In English, it became a general name for related cracid birds, particularly species of the genus Penelope.
How guan is actually used
Guan is a general common name for a group of related birds rather than the name of a single species. In ornithological contexts, a specific name such as horned guan is often preferable when the species is known.
Easily confused with guan
A guan is a tropical American bird, whereas guano is accumulated bird or bat excrement.