Bird Guide

Colombian Chachalaca vs Grey-headed Chachalaca

Colombian Chachalaca (Ortalis columbiana)

Colombian Chachalaca

Ortalis columbiana

Large548 gShrubland

The Colombian chachalaca is a typical Ortalis species – a large, plump forest bird with a long slender neck, small head, long and robust legs (tarsi) and a long tail. Size. Adults of this species have a length of 50–60 cm. The average wing length is 22.5 cm (males)/ 19.6 cm (females), and the average tail length is 25 and 24 cm respectively. Tarsi average 6 cm (males) and 5.8 cm (females). Adult bird have a typical mass of 600g (male), and 500g (female). Appearance. Similar/identical for both sexes. The upperparts are mostly brown, shading to greyish-brown on the primaries and secondaries.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Colombian Chachalaca
Recorded by Eduardo Rudas Burgos · Call · Proyecto Gaia, Puerto Lopez, Santa Sofía, Boyacá, Colombia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Anthony Batista · CC BY 4.0
Grey-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps)

Grey-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis cinereiceps

Large493 gShrubland

The grey-headed chachalaca is a medium-sized bird, similar in general appearance to turkeys, with a small head, long strong legs, and a long broad tail. They are 48 to 58 cm (1.6 to 1.9 ft) long and weigh 490 to 540 g (1.1 to 1.2 lb). They have fairly dull plumage, grayish brown above and paler below. The head is dark grey with a red dewlap and the blackish tail is tipped with buff. Their primary flight feathers are bright chestnut. Juveniles are browner overall, especially on the head. Voice: The grey-headed chachalaca is less noisy than plain (O. vetula) or rufous-vented chachalacas (O. ruficauda). Its song is a soft "cha-cha-lac-ah". Flocks give raucous calls described as "kloik, kleeuk kraahk". It also makes a variety of screams, sharp alarm calls, and a quiet purr.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Grey-headed Chachalaca
Recorded by radrat · Uncertain · Pipeline road, Panama · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cricket Raspet · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Colombian Chachalaca and Grey-headed Chachalaca.