Rufous-headed Chachalaca
Ortalis ruficeps
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<birdfyi-bird slug="ortalis-ruficeps"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized cracid (~495 g) of family Cracidae, with a rufous crown and head. Endemic to northeastern Brazil, primarily found in caatinga scrubland and dry forest habitats. Forages on fruits and vegetation in small groups. Not Evaluated by IUCN; taxonomy is debated as it may represent a subspecies or synonym of related chachalaca taxa. Little studied in the wild.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 495.0 g | 17.46 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Olive-brown body; crown and nape washed rufous-cinnamon; bare pink throat skin; underparts pale grey-buff; tail dark brownish with buff outer-feather tips. Similar to O. erythroptera but head less intensely rufous.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident in northeastern Brazil from Maranhão to Bahia. Found in caatinga dry scrub and transitional forest.
Diet & Feeding
Frugivorous; eats fruits, berries, seeds, and leaves in northeastern Brazilian caatinga and forest edges.
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP.
Sound
Song
Emits a loud, raucous chachalaca chorus; individual calls are slightly raspy. Dawn choruses ring across Brazilian interior forest and cerrado; recently described species.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Cracidae (Chachalacas, Guans & Curassows) |
| Genus | Ortalis |
| Species | Ortalis ruficeps |
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca eat?
Where does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca live?
How does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca nest?
What does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca sound like?
How big is the Rufous-headed Chachalaca?
What order and family does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cracidae family