Rufous-vented Chachalaca
NameRufous-vented Chachalaca
Common NameRufous-vented Chachalaca
Scientific NameOrtalis ruficauda
FamilyCracidae
Wingspan (cm)47.5
Length (cm)57
Weight (g)550
Plumage DetailsThe head and neck are dark grey, transitioning to a reddish bare skin patch on the throat. The body plumage is olive-brown, with a distinctive rufous (reddish-brown) vent and undertail coverts. The long tail is dark brown to blackish.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, raucous, and often synchronized calls, typically described as 'cha-cha-lac' or 'ka-ka-rak,' given by groups, especially at dawn and dusk.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in northern South America, specifically in northeastern Colombia, northern Venezuela, and on the islands of Tobago, Grenada, and Bequia in the Grenadines.
Identifying Featuresgrey head and neck, reddish bare throat patch, olive-brown body, rufous vent and undertail coverts, long dark tail, loud, raucous calls
Description
This medium-sized, pheasant-like bird is characterized by its long tail and relatively small head. It is known for its noisy, raucous calls, often heard in groups, and its arboreal habits, though it also forages on the ground.
