Western Colombia, on both slopes of western Andes and western slopes of central Andes; almost wholly confined to middle and upper Cauca Valley. Much rarer on western slopes of western Andes, where seen mainly in low passes.
 
Population
Estimated population is 250 - 999 (2010) and decreasing.
Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax) [XC302226]
by Jim Holmes from Otun Quimbaya, Colombia (call, song)
Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax) [XC306301]
by Daniel Cadena (Colecci\u00f3n de Sonidos Ambientales - Instituto Humboldt) from SFF Otun-Quimbaya, Pereira, Risaralda, C Andes, Colombia (alarm call)
Subspecies
Has long been considered a subspecies of either White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca) or Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens).