Birds of Venezuela

    GALLIFORMES: Cracidae (Chachalacas, Curassows, Guans)  
Genus: Ortalis (3 species, 16 worldwide)

Chachalacas (genus Ortails) are gamebirds found in 'New World' tropical forests. Chachalacas are in the same order as guans and curassow (Cracidae), but are smaller. Most species travel in groups, and are quite loud.


Speckled Chachalaca
Speckled Chachalaca (Ortalis guttata guttata)
Villa Carmen, Pilcopata, Peru  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.


Little Chachalaca
Little Chachalaca (Ortalis motmot)
French Guiana
  Note red head.
   
Photograph by Michel GIRAUD-AUDINE   © All Rights Reserved.


Rufous-vented Chachalaca
Rufous-vented Chachalaca (Ortalis ruficauda ruficauda)
Hato Aurora, Casanare, Colombia
  Note lack of streaking or scales.
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.



© Tom Friedel - All Rights Reserved, except for images and data otherwise noted.       Colombia       Panama       Ecuador       Costa Rica       Mexico
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Really Experimental sites:       Guyana       Cuba