Ortalis vetula mccalli

(Baird, 1858)

Vernacular names
English : Plain chachalaca
French : Ortalide chacamel

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Galliformes
Family : Cracidae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 58 cm in length for a weight of 790 g. Long dark tail. Neck and head dark grey-brown with bright red throat wattle. Rest of plumage is plain brown to rufous brown. This subspecies is greyer than all others.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from extreme south Texas to north-east Mexico. Species found in eastern and southern Mexico, south to Guatemala. Lives in forests, gallery forests, bushy areas and suburban parks, to 1850 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common to abundant in parts of its range and is favored by shifting agriculture. Doesn’t tolerate intensive agricultural practices.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Wild (Brownsville TX, USA), Gladys Porter Zoo (USA)

 

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