Deep Forest Canopy
Species Radar
Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

The plain chachalaca is a large bird in the chachalaca, guan and curassow family Cracidae. It breeds in tropical and subtropical environments from mezquital thickets in the Rio Grande Valley in southernmost Texas, United States to northernmost Costa Rica. In Central America, this species occurs in the Pacific lowlands from Chiapas, Mexico to northern Nicaragua and as a separate population in Costa Rica, where its range is separated by a short distance, as a disjunct population.

Where are you looking?

Select a tracking region above to ping the eBird database and reveal live hotspots for the Plain Chachalaca.

Low-Light Telephoto Systems

Identifying specific features of the Plain Chachalaca requires high-contrast magnification. Check out the top-rated 8x42 optics.

View Pro Optics

Expedition Prep

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