White-bellied Chachalaca
Ortalis leucogastra
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About
A medium-sized cracid (~500 g) of family Cracidae, distinguished by pale whitish underparts. Found in Pacific lowland forests, scrub, and forest edges from southern Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica. Forages in noisy flocks on fruits, buds, and seeds in the forest canopy and edges. Least Concern; thrives in disturbed habitats and secondary growth across its Central American range.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 41.7 cm | 16.4 in |
| Weight | 499.5 g | 17.62 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts; grey head with bare reddish throat; underparts strikingly white-bellied, contrasting sharply with brownish sides; tail dark with white tips on outer feathers.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident in Central America from Mexico south to Nicaragua. Found in tropical dry and humid forests and forest edges.
Diet & Feeding
Frugivorous; eats fruits, berries, seeds, and leaves in Central American forest edges and scrubby second-growth habitat.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 22-26 days.
Clutch Size
2-3
Sound
Song
Emits a loud, raucous chachalaca chorus; individual call is slightly higher and thinner. Dawn choruses ring across Central American Pacific slope forest and scrub.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Cracidae (Chachalacas, Guans & Curassows) |
| Genus | Ortalis |
| Species | Ortalis leucogastra |
Distribution
White-bellied Chachalaca has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the White-bellied Chachalaca eat?
Where does the White-bellied Chachalaca live?
Is the White-bellied Chachalaca endangered?
How does the White-bellied Chachalaca nest?
What does the White-bellied Chachalaca sound like?
How big is the White-bellied Chachalaca?
What order and family does the White-bellied Chachalaca belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cracidae family