chachalaca

1. Bird Name
English: Chachalaca
Scientific: Ortalis vetula

2. Appearance
The Chachalaca is a grayish-brown bird with a tawny throat and an underbelly that is lightly streaked with a similar color. This bird’s facial skin is a striking bluish-gray, and its legs and feet are a remarkable pale orange color. They also have a slightly hooked beak and a long, rounded tail. Unlike some species, there is little difference visually between males and females.

3. Size
Chachalacas are medium size birds with an average length of about 56-61 cm (22-24 inches), and they have an impressive wingspan that ranges from 65-70 cm (25.5-27.5 inches). Their average weight range between 500-800 grams (1.1-1.7 pounds).

4. Habitat & Distribution
Chachalacas inhabit subtropical and tropical regions, primarily in the New World, including North, Central and South America. They prefer living in forested areas, thickets, and scrub, and occasionally can be found in cultivated areas and suburban regions where they can find abundant food resources.

5. Interesting Facts
An interesting fact about Chachalacas is that they are considered some of the noisiest birds, with a cacophonous morning greeting that sounds like their name: cha-cha-lac. Their group choruses, often initiated before dawn, can carry up to half a mile. Additionally, chachalacas interact socially much in the same way as chickens do, spending a good part of their day on the ground foraging for food but roosting above ground at night.

6. Diet
Chachalacas primarily feed on berries, seeds, leaves, flowers, and the occasional small invertebrate such as insects and spiders. They forage in trees and shrubs, plucking their food with their beaks rather than scratching at the ground like their terrestrial relatives, the chicken.

7. Behavior & Sounds
These birds are quite social, often seen in small groups. Their call is a ruckus mix of cackles, clucks, squawks and other sounds that are often heard at dawn and dusk. Chachalacas are agile climbers and runners, but they are awkward in flight, preferring to run or climb trees when threatened.

8. Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Plain Chachalaca is currently listed as “Least Concern”. Nevertheless, Chachalaca populations may be locally declining due to loss of habitat.

9. Lifespan
In the wild, Chachalacas have a lifespan of approximately 10-15 years, while in captivity they may, with proper care, live up to 25 years, a lifespan significantly longer than that of other similarly sized birds.

10. Additional notes
Chachalacas have a significant role in their ecosystems due to seed dispersal from their foraging habits. In some regions, these birds are hunted as game for their meat. Also, in various ancient Mesoamericans cultures, chachalacas were symbols of communication and were believed to assist the souls of the recently deceased in their journey to the afterlife. Locally, in Mexico, these birds are also known as “Zanates”.