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

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