Plain Chachalaca? Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (2 Viewers)

[craftygirl]

These were taken June 19, 2008 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. From what I've looked at, they seem pretty similar to a Plain Chachalaca, but not similar enough to convince me entirely, so I wanted to check with you guys. Also, the Plain Chachalaca's range is on the east coast of Mexico, not the west. The other thing that's bothering me is that the birds in my photos have distinct red eye-rings, which I haven't seen in any pictures of Plain Chachalacas, but that's the closest ID I can manage.

 

[MLoyko]

Hi Craftygirl,

Looking through my books it looks like you're right. The grayish color, long tail, rusty coloration towards the rump/ventral area of the bird, the red gular skin (move evident during breeding season).

To me it looks good but as usual more than one opinion is better!

-Matt

 

[Jim M.]

They look good for West Mexican Chachalaca. The reddish orbital skin, white belly, and range rule out Plain Chachalaca, and the first two features rule out Rufous-Bellied Chachalaca. Cinnamon undertail coverts distinguish it from the White-bellied Chachalaca which is found further south.

In any event, cool (and often very noisy) birds.

Best,
Jim

 

[MLoyko]

They look good for West Mexican Chachalaca. The reddish orbital skin, white belly, and range rule out Plain Chachalaca, and the first two features rule out Rufous-Bellied Chachalaca. Cinnamon undertail coverts distinguish it from the White-bellied Chachalaca which is found further south.

In any event, cool (and often very noisy) birds.

Best,
Jim

Thank you for correcting me Jim, My books are North America but only shows Plain so I guess that is what made me wrong.

Sorry for the misleading answer Craftygirl

-Matt

 

[craftygirl]

I had the same problem- my books only list the plain chachalaca. Thanks for the help, both of you |=)|

 

[steveo]

http://www.birdforum.net/opus/West_Mexican_Chachalaca

 

[njlarsen]

I wonder where my post went?

Anyway, I tried to tell craftygirl that I felt she should upload at least the best of these to the gallery, as there are no pictures of this species, and also that I have uploaded one image to the opus entry as the picture of this bird :t:

Niels

 

[steveo]

I wonder where my post went?

Anyway, I tried to tell craftygirl that I felt she should upload at least the best of these to the gallery, as there are no pictures of this species, and also that I have uploaded one image to the opus entry as the picture of this bird :t:

Niels

Yeah I posted a page from the Opus and noticed that Hmmm..that photo looks familiar. I now realize it it was the posters original photo.:-O:-O That's good stuff.