From Opus

Ortalis vetula

Photo by bobsofpa
Photographed: Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Texas, USA.

[edit] Identification

L. 56 cm (22")
Wt. 650 g (1 lb 7 oz)

• Long-necked
• Small head
• Bare throat
• Greyish head and neck
• Dull olive-brown body and wings
• Pale underbelly
• Blackish tail with green gloss and buffy white tip
• Brown iris
• Black bill
• Dull grey orbital skin and feet

[edit] Distribution

Southernmost Texas, USA to Costa Rica.

[edit] Taxonomy

The isolated Costa Rica population is sometimes assigned to the species White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra.

[edit] Habitat

Tropical dry and moist forest, especially where interspersed with scrub and savanna.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

Includes fruit, seeds, leaves, and flowers.

[edit] Breeding=

Its nest is a shallow saucer made of twigs and plant material, lined with leaves. 2-4 white-cream eggs are laid.

[edit] External Links