Fun Chachalaca Facts For Kids

Have you ever come across a common pheasant from the family Cracidae? A plain chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) is about the same size as a common pheasant but much more beautiful and colorful. These birds sure are loud, but who doesn’t like to be with a bird who loves to chirp and sing? Moreover, plain chachalacas are known to live around human beings quite freely and do not get frightened and fly away very easily. This makes them an ideal companion of a bird-loving human being. There are various subspecies of these birds present in the wilderness such as the speckled chachalaca, gray-headed chachalaca, rufous vented chachalaca, and the plain chachalaca. Chachalaca birds are native to the Rio Grande Valley towards the South of Texas and belong to the family Cracidae.While these birds of North America are not facing any serious threat to their existence but the urbanization along lower Rio Grande Valley has resulted in habitat loss for these birds. Aren’t you curious and want to know more about the plain chachalaca (Ortalis vetula)? Read on to find some interesting facts about chachalacas! If you like this, check out the blue jay and the American kestrel as well.‍

What do they prey on? Invertebrates such as small insects

What do they eat? Omnivores (insects, berries, flowers, buds, seeds etc.)

Average litter size? 3-4 eggs

How much do they weigh? 1.03-1.75 lb

How long are they? 19-23 in

How tall are they? 24-26 in

What do they look like? Greyish head, pale and blackish tail

Skin Type Very thin layer of fur, feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Hunting

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Cloud Forest, Rain Forest, Tropical Dry Forest

Locations Central America, Mexico, South Texas

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Ortalis

Class Aves

Family Cracidae

Chachalaca Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a Chachalaca?The chachalaca is a type of bird, which forages for food in both trees and on the ground. It usually depends on seeds, leaves, and flowers, but does not hesitate to prey on insects occasionally. This bird species is native to the Rio Grande Valley towards South Texas.What class of animal does a Chachalaca belong to?The chachalaca belongs to the Aves class of animals and is a well-known native North American bird belonging to the family Cracidae. Some of the most well-known subspecies of these birds of North America are speckled chachalacas, gray-headed chachalacas, and rufous vented chachalacas.How many Chachalacas are there in the world?As of 2006, there are between 500,000 and 5,000,000 plain chachalacas in the world. Hence the chachalaca species is of Least Concern according to the IUCN. These North American birds can be found across the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, Costa Rica, and Mexico.Where does a Chachalaca live?Chachalacas live in the woods and are usually seen around human settlements too. Their habitat has been found across regions of North America and Central America such as South Texas, Costa Rica, and the Rio Grande Valley. The males and females gather the nest material, which usually comprises an abandoned nest of other birds, and begin enlarging it. As a result, the final nest looks like squirrel’s nests or randomly compiled leaf litter. On average, the width of the nests is around 8-8.5 in. What is a Chachalaca’s habitat?A chachalaca’s habitat is forests and shrublands, which are usually located near water bodies, which prove to be a source of water for these birds. Lately, the loss of habitat for chachalacas due to deforestation has been a matter of concern on an international level. Their preferred diet comprises insects, flowers, fruits, buds, berries, and seeds. These birds usually prefer to prepare their nests along the regions where the food sources are readily available.Who do Chachalacas live with?Chachalacas live in flocks which might even go up to 15 birds in one family. This bird species can even found to be living near human beings and are not reluctant to enter into human-inhabited areas.How long does a Chachalaca live?A chachalaca is known to live up to eight years, although this might vary depending on climate and habitat conditions available to this South American bird species.How do they reproduce?During the breeding season, which is from early March to September, chachalacas go to their breeding sites, like the thick woods of Texas. Here, chachalacas renovate the nests which are already there, left behind by other birds, and use them as their own. The female chachalacas usually lay around four white eggs. It takes roughly 22-25 days for the eggs to hatch, and the young ones stay with their parents at least until the month of October. During the breeding season, the bare throat patch turns dark red for both the male and female chachalacas, which indicates that the birds are ready to mate.What is their conservation status?Chachalacas are present in considerable numbers across North America and Central America. This abundance makes them fall under the Least Concern category of IUCN in terms of conservation status. However, habitat loss is one of the major concerns of the conservation of these birds. Chachalaca hunting is also a significant cause of concern for the existence of the chachalaca.Chachalaca Fun FactsWhat do Chachalacas look like?Chachalacas have a small greyish head and a long grey neck, with a bare throat patch on their necks. This patch turns deep red during the breeding season. Their body and wings are olive-brown in color, and their belly is pale. Their beauty lies in their tails, which are blackish, with a greenish glossy tinge, with white tips. This is what makes them so colorful.How cute are they?Chachalacas are considered to be very cute, owing to many factors. They are not afraid of being around human beings, and their colorful appearance only adds to their cuteness. It is highly regarded that Chachalacas are beautiful and cute.How do they communicate?Chachalacas communicate through different kinds of ‘cha cha lac’ and ‘klok atok atok’ sounds. They start their choruses in the morning and evening. The other chachalacas can understand these sounds through the vibrations produced in the air by the ‘cha cha lac’ sound. They also produce other types of sound like drumming, rattling, and whirring in order to convey different types of emotions and ideas to the other chachalacas during the morning and evening. Even the young ones convey their requirements and needs to their parents through different types of calls. These birds of North America can also communicate visually, but their main method of communication is vocal.How big is a Chachalaca?The length of a chachalaca is around 19-23 in which is roughly the size of a common pheasant. In terms of length, a chachalaca is about four times smaller than an adult lion.How fast can a Chachalaca fly?Usually, chachalacas do not fly for long distances, as they are not normally migratory birds. These nesting birds prefer to have short but swift flights. Hence, their flight speed is comparatively fast among other birds, but due to their reluctance to make long journeys and flights, the data on their speeds is unavailable.How much does a Chachalaca weigh?The weight of chachalacas varies according to their sex. The plain male chachalaca weighs around 1.03-1.75 lb, whereas the plain female chachalaca weighs a little less, roughly 0.9-1.5 lb.What are their male and female names of the species?There are no special scientific names of chachalacas depending on their sex. Both male and female plain chachalacas are known as male chachalacas and female chachalacas respectively.What would you call a baby Chachalaca?A baby chachalaca is called a chick, like any other baby bird.What do they eat?A chachalaca eats fruits, seeds, leaves, buds, berries, and flowers. It also feeds on small insects. It does not only eat from trees, but also on the ground. The predators of the plain chachalaca include the Texas indigo snake and other mammals like raccoons. Also, large owls hunt the plain chachalaca.Are they aggressive?The chachalaca is usually not known to be showing signs of aggression, but when this species notices a predator, they form groups and screech at a very high pitch. Around humans, these birds do not show any aggression and are safe to be around, but when around predators, these birds turn aggressive in order to protect themselves and their group as a defense mechanism.Would they make a good pet?Yes, the plain chachalaca would make an excellent pet. Even in the wild, this species is known to be around human beings without reluctance, so as a pet, they tend to be very friendly and qualify to be a very good pet. Their requirements are also pretty low, as this species feed on mere seeds, leaves, and flowers and are satisfied quite easily in terms of food.Did you know…Like many other birds, chachalacas also shout and screech when this species notice a change in the climate or sense a storm approaching.Unlike many birds who belong to the same order as chachalacas prefer to dwell on the ground, these birds make their home in the trees.Also, as soon as the young ones have hatched and dried up, this species can cling to the branches with their wings and feet.When was the Chachalaca first discovered?The chachalaca was first discovered in the year 1830 by the German herpetologist Johann Georg Wagler (1800-1832).How do Chachalacas escape from predators?Chachalacas usually prefer to escape from the danger posed by the predators by running swiftly on the ground or leaping and gliding through brushy tangles. Due to the speed and the brushy tangles, it is difficult for the predator to keep up with the chachalaca. However, if chachalacas are in a group, instead of running away and escaping, this species prefers to fight back in their own way. The group of chachalacas surrounds the predator and screech at the top of their voices in a very high pitch, thus immobilizing the predator for a short while.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the shrike and the wandering albatross.You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our Chachalaca coloring pages.‍

What type of animal is a Chachalaca?

The chachalaca is a type of bird, which forages for food in both trees and on the ground. It usually depends on seeds, leaves, and flowers, but does not hesitate to prey on insects occasionally. This bird species is native to the Rio Grande Valley towards South Texas.

Fun Chachalaca Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Invertebrates such as small insects

What do they eat? Omnivores (insects, berries, flowers, buds, seeds etc.)

Average litter size? 3-4 eggs

How much do they weigh? 1.03-1.75 lb

How long are they? 19-23 in

How tall are they? 24-26 in

What do they look like? Greyish head, pale and blackish tail

Skin Type Very thin layer of fur, feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Hunting

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Cloud Forest, Rain Forest, Tropical Dry Forest

Locations Central America, Mexico, South Texas

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Ortalis

Class Aves

Family Cracidae

Fun Chachalaca Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Invertebrates such as small insects

What do they eat? Omnivores (insects, berries, flowers, buds, seeds etc.)

Average litter size? 3-4 eggs

How much do they weigh? 1.03-1.75 lb

How long are they? 19-23 in

How tall are they? 24-26 in

What do they look like? Greyish head, pale and blackish tail

Skin Type Very thin layer of fur, feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Hunting

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Cloud Forest, Rain Forest, Tropical Dry Forest

Locations Central America, Mexico, South Texas

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Ortalis

Class Aves

Family Cracidae

Fun Chachalaca Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Invertebrates such as small insects

What do they eat? Omnivores (insects, berries, flowers, buds, seeds etc.)

Average litter size? 3-4 eggs

How much do they weigh? 1.03-1.75 lb

How long are they? 19-23 in

How tall are they? 24-26 in

What do they look like? Greyish head, pale and blackish tail

Skin Type Very thin layer of fur, feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Hunting

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Cloud Forest, Rain Forest, Tropical Dry Forest

Locations Central America, Mexico, South Texas

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Ortalis

Class Aves

Family Cracidae