West Mexican Chachalaca
NameWest Mexican Chachalaca
Common NameWest Mexican Chachalaca
Scientific NameOrtalis poliocephala
FamilyCracidae
Wingspan (cm)47.5
Length (cm)65
Weight (g)700
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are olive-brown, becoming darker on the wings and tail. The underparts are paler, buffy-white on the belly. The head and neck are grayish, contrasting with the bare, dark red facial skin around the eye and lores. The bill is dark, and legs are grayish.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, raucous, and often synchronized 'cha-cha-lac' calls, typically given by groups, especially at dawn and dusk. The calls are often described as a series of harsh, cackling notes.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to western Mexico, ranging from southern Sonora and Chihuahua south through Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, and Guerrero to Oaxaca.
Identifying FeaturesBare red facial skin, Long tail, Brownish plumage with grayish head and neck, Loud, cackling 'cha-cha-lac' calls
Description
The West Mexican Chachalaca is a medium-sized, long-tailed game bird endemic to western Mexico. It is characterized by its brownish plumage, grayish head and neck, and distinctive bare red facial skin. These birds are known for their loud, raucous calls, often given in groups.
