Ortalis cinereiceps
The Grey-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps) is a captivating Neotropical gamebird, renowned for its distinctive, often raucous calls that define the soundscape of its lowland forest habitats. This medium-sized bird typically measures between 48-58 cm (19-23 inches) in length and weighs 400-600 grams, presenting a rather uniform olive-brown plumage across its back and wings. Its most prominent field mark, from which it derives its name, is its slate-grey head and neck, which visually cont...
This chachalaca primarily inhabits humid lowland tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, secondary growth, dense thickets, and forest edges, often found at elevations from sea level up to 1,200 meters. It thrives in areas with dense undergrowth that provides both cover and foraging oppo...
The diet of the Grey-headed Chachalaca is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mainly of a wide variety of fruits, berries, seeds, leaves, and flowers, supplemented opportunistically with insects. They forage primarily by gleaning from vegetation in the understory and mid-story, and occasionally...
Grey-headed Chachalacas are largely diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and socializing in small, cohesive family groups, typically roosting high in trees at night. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning fruits, leaves, and flowers directly from branches in the mid-story and underst...
The Grey-headed Chachalaca is resident throughout its neotropical range, extending from eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and into the extreme northwestern lowlands of Colombia. Its distribution is largely continuous across these Central American nations, primarily alon...
Least Concern
- The Grey-headed Chachalaca is named after its distinctive, loud, "cha-cha-lac-a" calls, which are often given in synchronized duets or choruses. - Despite their size, they are considered one of the smaller members of the Cracid family, which includes larger guans and curassows. - Their calls ar...