Rufous-vented Chachalaca
Ortalis ruficauda
A large, long-tailed, chickenlike, and ground-dwelling bird of scrub and woodlands. Brown overall with a buff-orange vent. Commonly runs from perceived threats but sometimes bursts into rapid short flight. Unique in Caribbean, but in northern South America Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is light underneath and lacks rufous in tail. Produces a variety of vocalizations, including a loud “wuck-a-wuck-wuck” that is given in a crescendo series, a quiet muttered “wuck-wuck-wuck…,” a loud and squeaky shrill call often heard as “yuck” that is produced singly or in a series, and a loud squeaky “zwick,” given singly or in rapid bursts.
Identification
These are medium-sized birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys, with small heads, long strong legs and a long broad tail. They are typically 53–58 cm long; the female weighs 540g and the larger male 640g. They have fairly dull plumage, dark brown above and paler below. The head is grey, and the brown tail is tipped rufous or white depending on race.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ortalis ruficauda
- Authority
- Jardine, 1847
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Cracidae
- Genus
- Ortalis
Range and habitat
The rufous-vented chachalaca is a largely arboreal species found in forest and woodland, but it is also found in more open dry scrubby areas. This combined with relatively low hunting pressure, make it far less vulnerable than larger members of the family, notably curassows.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Hairy-backed Bulbul
Tricholestes criniger
Small gracile bulbul with brown upperparts, dirty-yellow underparts, and surprised-looking large dark eye accentuated by yellow eyering. Somewhat like a babbler in proportions and behavior; forages, often with mixed flocks, at lower and middle strata of forests. Inhabits mature and advanced secondary forests from lowlands up to around 1,000 meters. Scolds “chee-chuu” repetitively and gives soft ascending whistles.
Finn's Weaver
Ploceus megarhynchus
Range-restricted weaver with a powerful dark bill. Male is predominantly yellow with a dark cheek patch. Female is streaky brown above and paler below; lacks the strong streaking and facial patterns of Streaked and Black-breasted Weavers. Female Finn’s is similar to female Baya Weaver, but note the darker coloration, lack of a pale brow stripe, and heavier, sharper-looking bill in female Finn’s. Inhabits open areas with scattered trees; favors wet areas. Colonial nester; males build ball-shaped nests, often in cotton trees.
Tagula White-eye
Zosterops meeki
A very little-known, small bird of foothill forest canopy and edge on Tagula Island where the only white-eye. Olive-green upperparts with yellow-green rump, blackish face and tail. White underparts from the throat to the belly and yellow under the base of the tail. Note the broad white eye-ring, broken at the front. Voice, gives a typical white-eye “peer” call. Apparently not seen in recent years.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.