Grey-headed Chachalaca
Ortalis cinereiceps
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<birdfyi-bird slug="ortalis-cinereiceps"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized cracid (~565 g) of family Cracidae, with a distinctive grey head and olive-brown body. Inhabits humid tropical forests, forest edges, and scrublands from Honduras south to northwestern Colombia. Forages in groups for fruits, berries, leaves, and insects in the understory and canopy. Least Concern; common throughout its range in Central American lowlands.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 41.1 cm | 16.2 in |
| Weight | 566.5 g | 19.98 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Olive-brown body; head and neck distinctly grey contrasting with brownish back; bare reddish throat skin; underparts pale buff-grey; tail graduated, brown with paler tips on outer feathers.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident from Honduras south through Central America to Panama and northwestern Colombia. Found in humid forest and dense vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Frugivorous and folivorous; eats fruits, berries, leaves, and buds in Central American forest edges and second growth.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 22 days.
Clutch Size
3
Sound
Song
Produces a loud, raucous cha-cha-lac chorus at dawn; individual notes are hoarser and lower than Plain Chachalaca. Groups call antiphonally from treetops in Central American forest edge.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Cracidae (Chachalacas, Guans & Curassows) |
| Genus | Ortalis |
| Species | Ortalis cinereiceps |
Distribution
Grey-headed Chachalaca has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Grey-headed Chachalaca eat?
Where does the Grey-headed Chachalaca live?
Is the Grey-headed Chachalaca endangered?
How does the Grey-headed Chachalaca nest?
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How big is the Grey-headed Chachalaca?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Cracidae family