Grey-headed Chachalaca
Ortalis cinereiceps
The Grey-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps) is a uncommon guans, curassows, and chachalaca found in 5 countries, weighing about 493 g. The grey-headed chachalaca is a member of an ancient group of birds in the family Cracidae, which includes chachalacas, guans, and curassows.
About the Grey-headed Chachalaca
The grey-headed chachalaca is a member of an ancient group of birds in the family Cracidae, which includes chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is found from Honduras to Colombia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Grey-headed Chachalaca sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Grey-headed Chachalaca can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Grey-headed Chachalaca on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey-headed Chachalaca?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey-headed Chachalaca?
- The Grey-headed Chachalaca is a large sized bird weighing about 493 g.
- Where can you see a Grey-headed Chachalaca?
- The Grey-headed Chachalaca occurs in 5 countries, including Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Honduras.
- What does a Grey-headed Chachalaca sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Grey-headed Chachalaca on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Grey-headed Chachalaca?
- The Grey-headed Chachalaca is most easily confused with the Colombian Chachalaca, the Speckled Chachalaca and the Chaco Chachalaca.
- Is the Grey-headed Chachalaca endangered?
- The Grey-headed Chachalaca is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grey-headed Chachalaca for real
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