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Variable Chachalaca - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 12:58, 14 August 2015 by Wintibird (talk | contribs) (Little Chachalaca moved to Variable Chachalaca: H&M and Clements agree on Variable)

Alternative name: Little Chachalaca

Photo by Valéry Schollaert
Manaus, Brazil
Ortalis motmot

Includes: Chestnut-headed Chachalaca

Identification

38 cm. It has a chestnut head, a red dewlap and brown wings.

Distribution

Northern Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela.

Photo by erikat
Near AdeK University campus, Uitvlucht (Paramaribo), Suriname (click on image for larger version)

Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized: motmot and ruficeps (second one south of the Amazon, sometimes split as Chestnut-headed Chachalaca).

Habitat

Clearings and forest patches with dense undergrowth

Behaviour

Diet

It feeds on fruit and berries both on the ground and in the trees.

Vocalisation

Most likely to be vocal just before dawn (5:30-6 am). Skulking behavior makes this species difficult to see.

Graphic by Nrg800

References

  1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
  2. Restall et al. 2006. Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156

External Links

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