Rufous-headed Chachalaca

Overview

The rufous-headed chachalaca, Ortalis erythroptera, is a monotypic bird species in the family Cracidae. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to a small, declining population and fragmented range.

Identification

• Length 56 to 66 cm with a rufous head and neck, grey-brown back, and creamy white lower breast and belly.
• Tail feathers feature dark grey central plumes and outer ones that are grey near the body and chestnut on their outer halves, with bright chestnut primary flight feathers.
• Brown eyes are surrounded by bare bluish-grey skin, and the legs are pale blue.
• Principal calls include a raucous, repeated 'kwak-ar-ar-ar' or 'cha-cha-kaw', usually initiated by the male.

Habitat

Found in extreme southwestern Colombia, extreme northwestern Peru, and several areas in western Ecuador, this species inhabits dry, non-arid deciduous forest and cloud forest in coastal zones and Andean foothills. Elevation ranges generally from sea level to 1,390 m, though it has been observed as high as 1,850 m and heard near 2,500 m.

Diet

The rufous-headed chachalaca typically forages in groups of two to seven individuals. Its known diet consists primarily of fruit, though it may also consume leaves.

Did you know?

Captive birds lay clutches of three eggs, with the breeding season appearing to parallel the January to May rainy season.