Bird Guide

Colombian Chachalaca vs Plain 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
Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula)

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

Large563 gShrubland

The plain chachalaca is a medium-sized galliform, around the size of a common pheasant. It measures 48–58 cm (19–23 in) in length, and varies in weight from 468–794 g (16.5–28.0 oz) for males and 439–707 g (15.5–24.9 oz)in females Males are on average larger but because of overlap that isn't diagnostic of sex, and in appearance they are the same. It is long-necked with a small head and bare throat patch which becomes deep red in both sexes during the breeding season. Adults have a greyish head and neck with a dull olive-brown body and wings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Brooke Smith · CC BY 4.0

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 Plain Chachalaca.