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Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetulaOrder: GALLIFORMESFamily: Chachalaca (Cracidae)
Plain Chachalaca Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Curved (up or down)
  • Eye color: Brown iris
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown color: Gray
  • Forehead color: Gray
  • Nape Color: Gray
  • Throat color: Gray
  • Cere color:
Splitbar
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Plain Chachalaca Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 55 cm (22 in)
  • Weight: 589 g (20.8 oz)
  • Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color: Green, Gray, Olive, Buff
  • Underparts: Pale red-brown
  • Upperparts: Brown
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Plain Chachalaca Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Alternates powerful flaps with glides, short flights.
  • Wingspan Range: 66 cm (26 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Rounded Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid with white corners.
  • Upper Tail: Black with white tip.
  • Under Tail: Pale red-brown
  • Leg color: Gray
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Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family
Species Ortalis vetula
Length22 Inches
Wingspan26 Inches

Plain Chachalaca

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.

● Song: "cha cha lac", "KLOK aTOK aTOK", "krrrr"

● Foraging & 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.

● Breeding & 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.

● Similar species: None in North America

Flight Pattern

Alternates powerful flaps with glides, short flights.
Plain Chachalaca Body Illustration
● Range & 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.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationCommon in range
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight20.8 Ounces