Chestnut-winged Chachalaca
Ortalis garrula
Long-tailed, chickenlike bird restricted to the lowlands of northern Colombia. The chestnut wings may be hidden from view when the bird is perched. It can be separated from the similar Rufous-vented Chachalaca by its white belly and pale (not rusty) tail tips. Distinguished from Colombian Chachalaca by lack of scaling on head and breast. Inhabits lightly wooded areas and mangroves. Easier to see early in the morning and late in the afternoon when it often perches up in the open and gives loud, raucous calls.
Identification
The chestnut-winged chachalaca is 53 to 60 cm (1.7 to 2.0 ft) long. One male weighed 755 g (1.7 lb) and a female 630 g (1.4 lb). Both sexes have brown upperparts that are lighter on the crown and nape; the tail is dark gray-brown with a white tip. The throat and upper breast are also brown with a sharp demarcation between it and the white lower breast, flanks, and belly. The primary flight feathers are bright chestnut. The eye is surrounded by bare reddish to black skin.
Taxonomy
The chestnut-winged chachalaca was at one time treated as conspecific with the grey-headed chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps). It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Ortalis garrula
- Authority
- (Humboldt, 1805)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Cracidae
- Genus
- Ortalis
Range and habitat
The chestnut-winged chachalaca is found in northern Colombia in an area roughly bounded on the west by the Sinú River, in the east by the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and in the south by the lower Cauca and Magdalena River valleys. It inhabits a variety of landscapes characterized by thick vegetation such as scrubby deciduous forest, arid scrub, tropical thickets, and mangroves. It shuns the interior of dense forest but can be found on its edges. In elevation it ranges from sea level to about 800 m (2,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The chestnut-winged chachalaca forages in groups of up to eight, generally in trees but sometimes on the ground. In contrast to some other chachalacas, it is quiet as it gleans. Its diet is both fruits and leaves, with more of the former eaten during the rainy season and the latter during the dry season.<p>The chestnut-winged chachalaca breeds during the dry season, between January and April. The nest is a simple platform placed in a tree. The clutch size can be up to four eggs.<p>The chestnut-winged chachalaca is vocal throughout the year (mostly at dawn) but more so during the breeding season. The most commonly heard sound is a duet rendered as "wha-cha-rá" that carries a great distance.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yungas Sparrow
Rhynchospiza dabbenei
Attractive sparrow found along the western edge of the Andes in northwestern Argentina, barely reaching over the border into Bolivia. Note the chestnut head stripes, dark smudge between eye and bill, and black and white mustache. Similar to Chaco Sparrow, with which it was formerly lumped as Stripe-capped Sparrow, but is larger with more extensive black on the face, rustier wings, and a different voice. Inhabits open, grassy habitats with scattered trees and low scrub. Song is a slow series of wheezy chirps.
Common Jery
Neomixis tenella
Small, energetic, sharp-billed warbler. Always shows gray on the back of the neck and usually a lightly striped throat, though there is regional variation. Madagascar endemic that is found in all habitats with some woody vegetation, including forest, scrub, savanna, plantations, and villages. Often joins flocks with other small bird species. Song is a squeaky, bouncing series of high notes. Gray on the back of the neck separates it from all other jeries. Larger and brighter than Green Jery. Smaller than Stripe-throated Jery, with pale legs.
Pennant-winged Nightjar
Caprimulgus vexillarius
Breeding males have extraordinary “pennants” growing out of their wings. Non-breeding males are still distinctive due to the huge white patches on the wings. Females are very drab, and lack white in the wing or tail, unlike most nightjars. This is a migratory species that is found in many different habitats on migration and during the non-breeding season. Breeds in moist savanna and broadleaved woodland, especially miombo. Song is a slow, squeaky trill. Female is similar to Standard-winged Nightjar, but is larger and has more barring in the wings.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.