Chaco Chachalaca
NameChaco Chachalaca
Common NameChaco Chachalaca
Scientific NameOrtalis canicollis
FamilyCracidae
Wingspan (cm)55
Length (cm)53
Weight (g)500
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are olive-brown to grayish-brown, with a grayish head and neck. A prominent patch of bare red skin is visible on the throat. Underparts are paler, ranging from buffy to rufous-brown, particularly on the belly and undertail coverts. The long tail is dark, often with a rufous tip.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, rhythmic, and often raucous calls, typically described as a 'cha-cha-lac' or 'cha-cha-la-ca' sound. These calls are frequently given in a chorus by multiple birds, especially at dawn and dusk.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Gran Chaco region of South America, found across northern Argentina, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and southwestern Brazil.
Identifying FeaturesGrayish head and neck with bare red throat patch, Olive-brown upperparts and buffy/rufous underparts, Long tail, Loud, distinctive 'cha-cha-lac' vocalizations, Arboreal behavior in dry scrub and forest habitats
Description
The Chaco Chachalaca is a medium-sized, long-tailed bird characterized by its grayish head and neck, olive-brown upperparts, and buffy underparts. It is known for its loud, raucous calls, often given in chorus, and typically forages in trees and dense scrub.
