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