Speckled Chachalaca

Overview

The speckled chachalaca (Ortalis guttata) is a medium-sized bird in the family Cracidae. It is generally considered of Least Concern by the IUCN, though its isolated southeastern Brazilian subspecies faces critical threats.

Identification

• Measures 49 to 55 cm in length, with plumage that is mostly brown above and a darker, grayer head and neck.
• Throat and breast are dark brown featuring the eponymous white speckles, while the vent is bright rufous and the tail has a bronze gloss with rufous outer feathers.
• Possesses dark brown to dark reddish brown eyes surrounded by bare slate blue skin.
• Produces a rhythmic five-syllable song described as 'ha-ga-GAA-gogok', which is repeated rapidly.

Habitat

Found across the Amazonian regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as well as a small isolated area in southeastern Brazil. It inhabits low or open forest, thickets, riparian areas, and gallery forest edges, generally avoiding the interior of terra firme forest.

Diet

The bird primarily forages in small flocks of up to seven individuals within the subcanopy and understory, rarely coming to the ground. Its diet consists of fruits and other plant material, although its feeding habits have not been extensively studied.

Did you know?

The isolated subspecies O. g. remota is classified as Critically Endangered by Brazilian authorities due to the flooding of much of its habitat by hydroelectric reservoirs. This contrasts with the other subspecies, which are generally common and tolerate human activity fairly well.