Ortalis leucogastra
The White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra) is a striking medium-sized neotropical game bird, instantly recognizable by its contrasting plumage of dark olive-brown upperparts and a pristine white belly and vent. Measuring 53-65 cm (21-26 inches) in length and weighing 500-800 grams (1.1-1.8 pounds), it exhibits a relatively slender build with a long neck and tail. Key field marks include its dark grey head and neck, a small rufous patch visible on its primaries during flight, and a dis...
Primarily inhabits dense lowland tropical dry and evergreen forests, forest edges, and secondary growth, often near rivers or disturbed areas, typically found below 1,200 meters elevation.
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on a variety of fruits, seeds, leaves, buds, and flowers, supplemented by insects and other invertebrates, typically gleaned from vegetation or the ground.
White-bellied Chachalacas are primarily diurnal, with their most vocal periods occurring at dawn and dusk, producing their characteristic, raucous calls. They forage both arboreally, agilely moving through the canopy and subcanopy, and occasionally on the ground, gleaning fallen fruits and seeds....
The White-bellied Chachalaca is resident to the Pacific slopes and lowlands of Central America, with its distribution stretching from southern Mexico eastward through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In Mexico, it is primarily found in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, adhering to...
Least Concern
- The genus name *Ortalis* comes from the Greek word meaning "poultry" or "garden bird," reflecting their frequenting of habitats near human settlements. - Their common name "chachalaca" is onomatopoeic, derived directly from their incredibly loud, rhythmic, and distinctive calls. - Unlike many g...