Rufous-vented Chachalaca vs West Mexican Chachalaca

Rufous-vented Chachalaca

Ortalis ruficauda

Large586 gWoodland

These are medium-sized birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys, with small heads, long strong legs and a long broad tail. They are typically 53–58 cm long; the female weighs 540g and the larger male 640g. They have fairly dull plumage, dark brown above and paler below. The head is grey, and the brown tail is tipped rufous or white depending on race. Voice: As other chachalacas, the rufous-vented chachalaca is a very noisy species, preferring to execute their vocal feats at dawn. The male's call is a loud low ka-ka-rooki-rooki-ka, answered by the female's high-pitched watch-a-lak, which they often repeat several times in a row, in precise synchronization.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Aitor · CC BY 4.0

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

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