Breeding Location:
Forest edge
Breeding Type:
Monogamous
Breeding Population:
Common in range
Egg Color:
Dull or creamy white
Number of Eggs:
2 - 4
Incubation Days:
22 - 25
Egg Incubator:
Female
Nest Material:
Twigs, spanish moss, green leaves, vines
Migration:
Nonmigratory
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Overview
Plain Chachalaca: Loud, phesant-like bird. Drab in color with gray head, olive-brown back, buff belly, dark tail with green gloss. Male shows bright red gular stripe during courtship displays. Feeds on insects, fruits, berries, seeds, leaves and buds. Alternates rapid stiff wing beats with glides.
Range and Habitat
Plain Chachalaca: Found primarily in Mexico and the Neotropics. Extends into the U.S. in southern Texas along the lower Rio Grande valley. Inhabits forested areas, particularly early successional and forest edges, thorn scrub, and brushy thickets.
Breeding and Nesting
Plain Chachalaca: Monogamous and territorial. Both sexes build nest of twigs, spanish moss, green leaves, and vines on old nests of smaller species. Female incubates two to four creamy or dull white eggs for 22 to 25 days while male stays close and defends territory.
Foraging and Feeding
Plain Chachalaca: Moves through shrubs and trees often creeping squirrel-like. Consumes a variety of leaves, buds, seeds, flowers, and fruits, occasionally insects. Readily comes to feeding stations. Shows preference for cracked corn and milo.
Readily Eats
Cracked Corn, Milo
Vocalization
Plain Chachalaca: Very loud. Named for its loud call "cha cha lak", or "KLOK aTOK aTOK." Makes a variety of other gutteral vocalizations including soft "krrr" call.
Similar Species
None in North America
.