2013 Bonanza Bird #24: Plain Chachalaca

July 24, 2013 in Birdorable Bonanza 2013 with 11 comments

The end is in sight! We're continuing to add new birds and today's is the 24th species in the current Bonanza. Today's Bonanza bird is the Plain Chachalaca.

Plain Chachalacas are large grouse-like birds related to curassows and guans. They are found in a rather large range across much of eastern Central America and Mexico. Their range extends up to the southernmost tip of Texas, making the species a specialty sought-after by North American birders visiting the Lone Star State.

Plain Chachalaca (<I>Ortalis vetula</I>), San Ygnacio, Texas

Plain Chachalaca by Vince Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Plain Chachalacas spend much of their time on the ground. Though they can fly, they have relatively weak wing muscles so they much prefer to get around on foot. They will even flee from danger by running rather than flying, if they can. They are also ground nesters.

Tomorrow's new species is a large seabird found in and around northern Atlantic waters.

Comments

Leo Antonio on July 24, 2013 at 11:08 AM wrote:

I hope it's an Auk.

nuthatches are awesome on July 24, 2013 at 3:33 PM wrote:

Is it a Gannet

Jays and Kestrels on September 14, 2013 at 9:33 PM wrote:

who watches under the dome?

Jays and Kestrels on September 16, 2013 at 9:17 PM wrote:

sorry, that was off topic. love the name chacalaca!! :)

Heather Richards on October 7, 2016 at 9:01 PM wrote:

I love the name chacalaca, though it sounds like the word "poop". We used to have these birds around here and we called them ow-chacalacas.

Louise Warner on February 25, 2017 at 9:27 AM wrote:

northern gannet?

Heather Richards on March 9, 2017 at 3:26 PM wrote:

You got me jumping like boom shakalaka boom shakalaka boom, boom chakalaka boom shakalaka boom. Boom shakalak, boom shakalak boom. Do you know that song? .

Cadence on September 19, 2020 at 10:14 PM wrote:

It's a shakalaka-duck. potato.

Spurwing Plover on July 7, 2021 at 2:56 AM wrote:

Maybe a Common Loon

Spurwing Plover on May 8, 2022 at 7:34 AM wrote:

Well Skuas me

Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 6:48 AM wrote:

He dont care to by Fancy he is just a a Plain Chachalacka

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

2021 Bonanza Bird #9

Snow Geese: Masters of Mass Migration

November 24, 2021

Today we're adding the Snow Goose to Birdorable! Snow Geese are not only abundant but also incredibly distinctive in appearance. Their plumage is predominantly white, earning them their name, but it's their striking black wingtips that truly set them apart. These black...

Did you know? Fecal sacs

May 2, 2014

Birds don't wear diapers. But in some songbirds, babies expel their waste in a membrane-filled sac, which is then removed from the nest by a parent. Fecal...

Happy Magpie Day!

March 14, 2016

Today, March 14, is traditionally celebrated as Pi Day -- because when the date is written 3/14, it represents the first three significant numbers of Pi. Pie day may be celebrated by eating pie, but since we like birds,...

New Crane Species Discovered in South America

April 1, 2015

What timing! In the middle of celebrating Crane Week, we have received breaking news that a new species of crane has been discovered! Unbelievable news out of Bolivia this week as a new species of crane has been discovered breeding near the Salar de Uyuni, one of...

Birdorable Blog