Bird Guide

Plain Chachalaca vs Speckled Chachalaca

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
Speckled Chachalaca (Ortalis guttata)

Speckled Chachalaca

Ortalis guttata

Large548 gShrubland

The speckled chachalaca is 49 to 55 cm (1.6 to 1.8 ft) long. The nominate subspecies is mostly brown above with a darker and grayer head and neck. The mantle has a chestnut wash; the tail has a bronze gloss and the outer feathers are rufous. The throat and breast are dark brown with the eponymous white speckles. The lower breast and belly are light grayish brown and the vent bright rufous. The eye is dark brown to dark reddish brown and is surrounded by bare slate blue skin. O. g. Voice: The song of the nominate speckled chachalaca is a "rhythmic five-syllable phrase rendered ha-ga-GAA-gogok, repeated rapidly." Those of the other subspecies are similar.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Speckled Chachalaca
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Zamora-Chinchipe: SE Zumba: turnoff to Chito on La Chonta - El Chorro road, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joao Quental · CC BY 2.0

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: Plain Chachalaca and Speckled Chachalaca.