Plain Chachalaca Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesPlain Chachalaca
Adult
Large, often arboreal chickenlike bird with a small head and a long tail tipped in white. Brownish gray above with a buffy belly.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryTexas, November 07, 2018Adult
Large chickenlike bird with a small head and a long tail. Brownish gray above with a buffy belly.
© Nathaniel Sharp / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 12, 2017Adults
Call is a very loud, raucous, repeated "chac-a-lak."
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, February 01, 1995Adult
Often climbs trees. Large, chickenlike bird with a small head and a long tail tipped in white. Brownish gray above with a buffy belly.
© Ad Konings / Macaulay LibrarySan Luis Potosí, September 29, 2019Adult
When displaying, a patch of red bare skin under the throat is visible.
© Jason Duxbury / Macaulay LibraryQuintana Roo, January 11, 2013Adult
Largely arboreal chickenlike bird that walks or runs along larger tree limbs.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 03, 1997Adult
Forages in shrubs and trees as well as on the ground for seeds, plant material, and fruits.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, February 01, 1995Adult
Large chickenlike bird with a long tail tipped in white. Often found in small groups.
© Matt Gearheart / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 29, 2005Adults
Often shy in areas where they are hunted, but in other areas they readily accept food and water from humans. This video has no audio.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 03, 1997Similar SpeciesWild Turkey
Female
Wild Turkeys are much larger and heavier-bodied, with a shorter tail. They are darker brown with barred plumage, and lack the white tail corners of Plain Chachalacas.
© D. Bruce Yolton / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 22, 2017More to Read
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.