Rufous-bellied Chachalaca
Ortalis wagleri
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About
A larger chachalaca (~834 g) of family Cracidae, with a rufous wash on the underparts. Endemic to the Pacific slope of northwestern Mexico, from Sonora to Jalisco. Inhabits tropical dry forest, thorn scrub, and deciduous woodland. Forages in groups on fruits, seeds, and insects. Least Concern; range restricted to the Mexican Pacific coast but populations remain stable.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 48.3 cm | 19.0 in |
| Weight | 834.0 g | 29.42 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Olive-brown above; head grey with bare reddish throat; underparts strongly washed rufous-buff becoming deep rufous on belly and flanks; graduated tail dark brown with pale-tipped outer feathers.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Endemic to the Pacific coast of western Mexico from Sinaloa to Colima. Found in tropical dry forest and thorn scrub.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on fruits, berries, seeds, leaves, and small invertebrates in Mexican thorn scrub and deciduous forest edges.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Clutch Size
3
Sound
Song
Produces a loud, deep raucous chorus; the lowest-pitched Ortalis chachalaca call. The deep, resonant cha-cha-LAC booms across Mexican Pacific slope deciduous forest at dawn.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Cracidae (Chachalacas, Guans & Curassows) |
| Genus | Ortalis |
| Species | Ortalis wagleri |
Distribution
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca eat?
Where does the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca live?
Is the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca endangered?
What does the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca sound like?
How big is the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca?
What order and family does the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cracidae family