Speckled Chachalaca
NameSpeckled Chachalaca
Common NameSpeckled Chachalaca
Scientific NameOrtalis guttata
FamilyCracidae
Wingspan (cm)45
Length (cm)50
Weight (g)500
Plumage DetailsThe head and neck are dark brownish-grey, with a distinctive speckled or scaly pattern on the throat and upper breast. The back and wings are olive-brown, transitioning to a paler, rufous-brown on the belly. The long tail is dark brown with prominent rufous or chestnut undertail coverts and outer tail feathers. A small patch of red gular skin is visible on the throat.
Vocalization / CallKnown for loud, raucous, often synchronized calls, typically described as a series of harsh 'cha-cha-lac' or 'kra-kra-kra' notes, frequently given by groups at dawn and dusk.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Amazon basin of South America, including parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Identifying Featuresspeckled throat and upper breast, long rufous-brown tail, dark bill, red gular skin, slender body shape
Description
This medium-sized, slender bird is characterized by its long tail and brownish plumage, often found in the understory and mid-canopy of tropical forests. It moves in small groups and is known for its loud, raucous calls, especially at dawn and dusk.
