Bird Guide

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca vs West Mexican Chachalaca

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis wagleri)

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca

Ortalis wagleri

Large834 gWoodland

The rufous-bellied chachalaca is 62 to 67 cm (2.0 to 2.2 ft) long and weighs about 834 g (1.8 lb). Most of its plumage is gray brown to olive brown, but its chestnut belly and tail tips make it the most richly colored member of its genus. It has bare pink and blue skin around the eye. Voice: The rufous-bellied chachalaca's principal vocalization is a " loud, rhythmic, 4–5-syllable, chorus 'kirr-i-i-kr', 'chrr-i-k-rr' or 'chrr-uh-uh-rr' to which is sometimes added "loud cackling, whistling, or growling notes."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: memoosborne · CC0
West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala)

West Mexican Chachalaca

Ortalis poliocephala

Large760 gWoodland

The West Mexican chachalaca is 58.5 to 68.5 cm (1.9 to 2.2 ft) long. One male weighed 760 g (1.7 lb). Its crown and nape are dull brownish gray and the rest of the upperparts pale brownish olive. The tail is slightly grayer and the feathers have broad buff tips. The breast is grayish olive and the belly whitish with a buff wash. The hazel eye is surrounded by bare carmine skin. Voice: The West Mexican chachalaca's principal vocalization is "a group of 'gruff, throaty, rhythmic chattering, chur-uh-uh-uhr, etc'."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Adam Jackson · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Rufous-bellied Chachalaca and West Mexican Chachalaca.