West Mexican Chachalaca
Ortalis poliocephala
The West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala) is a uncommon guans, curassows, and chachalaca found only in Mexico, weighing about 760 g. The West Mexican chachalaca is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows.
About the West Mexican Chachalaca
The West Mexican chachalaca is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is endemic to Mexico.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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'."
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a West Mexican Chachalaca?
- The West Mexican chachalaca is 58.5 to 68.5 cm (1.9 to 2.2 ft) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a West Mexican Chachalaca?
- The West Mexican Chachalaca is a large sized bird weighing about 760 g.
- Where can you see a West Mexican Chachalaca?
- The West Mexican Chachalaca is endemic to Mexico, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a West Mexican Chachalaca?
- The West Mexican Chachalaca is most easily confused with the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, the White-bellied Chachalaca and the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca.
- Is the West Mexican Chachalaca endangered?
- The West Mexican Chachalaca is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the West Mexican Chachalaca for real
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