Plain Chachalaca
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| Ortalis vetula Wagler, 1830 |
The Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula is a large bird in the Cracidae family. It breeds in tropical and subtropical environments from the chaparral thickets along the Rio Grande River in southernmost Texas, USA to Costa Rica.
In Central America, this species occurs in the Pacific lowlands from Chiapas, Mexico to northern Nicaragua and as a separate population in Costa Rica.
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[edit] Physical description
The Plain Chachalaca is 56 cm (22") long and weighs 650 g (1 lb 7 oz). It is long-necked with a small head and bare throat. Adults have a greyish head and neck with a dull olive-brown body and wings. The underbelly is pale to ochraceous and the tail is are blackish with green gloss and buffy-white tip. The iris is brown and bill is black; orbital skin and the feet are dull grey.
[edit] Behavior
This species frequents tropical dry and moist forest, especially where interspersed with scrub and savanna. Usually found in groups of up to 15 birds, the Plain Chachalaca is furtive and wary and prefers to escape from danger by running swiftly on the ground or leaping and gliding through brushy tangles.
The Plain Chachalaca feeds in trees or on the ground on fruit (figs, palms, Sapotaceae), seeds, leaves, and flowers.
The call is a loud, raucous RAW-pa-haw or cha-cha-LAW-ka, often by several birds in a rhytmical chorus, especially in early morning and evening, usually from well up in trees. It also produces peeping whistles and cackles.
[edit] Nest
The Plain Chachalaca typically breeds in the early wet season. The nest is a shallow saucer of twigs and plant fibers, lined with leaves, in thick vegetation. The clutch is 2-4 rough-shelled white to cream eggs.
[edit] Population and threats
The Plain Chachalaca population is 500,000-5,000,000 (2006 IUCN Red List). It is not threatened.
[edit] Taxonomy
The isolated Costa Rica population is sometimes assigned to the species White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Ortalis vetula. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0-8014-9600-4
