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CHACHALACAS, GUANS, CURASSOW (CRACIDAE; 5 SPECIES)

Neotropical family of large, long-tailed, frequently arboreal gamebirds known as cracids.

Ages usually similar, sexes similar or (in Great Curassow) strikingly different.

PLAIN CHACHALACA  Ortalis vetula 48–56cm. Brushy forest and edge,

second growth, overgrown clearings, plantations; no confirmed range overlap

with Gray-headed Chachalaca. Usually in groups of 4–15 birds, feeding from

ground to high in trees; typically calls from mid–upper levels in trees. Often

seen flying across roads, rivers, and small clearings with sweeping glides, neck

outstretched, tail fanned on landing to show pale tips. SOUNDS: Loud raucous

calls. ‘Song’ a 3-syllable kuh-kuh-ruh or cha-cha-lac, male lower and burrier,

female higher and screechier; characteristically in chanting duets started by

male, phrases repeated several ×. Gruff purring and growling calls when

agitated; other shrieking and honking chatters can suggest Amazona parrots. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common locally on n. Pacific slope (mainly foothills), to 800m. (Mexico and s. Texas to Costa Rica.)

GRAY-HEADED CHACHALACA  Ortalis cinereiceps 46–54cm. Humid forest

and edge, second growth, riverside thickets, plantations; no confirmed range

overlap with Plain Chachalaca. Usually in groups of 4–15 birds, feeding from

ground to high in trees; typically calls from mid–upper levels in trees. Often

seen flying across roads, rivers, small clearings, with sweeping glides that show

off diagnostic bright rusty primaries; underwings extensively rusty. Juv. slightly

browner overall than adult, including head; like adult within a few months. Tail

tips vary from buffy white in drier areas to buffy cinnamon in more humid

areas. SOUNDS: Loud, slightly shrieky rriéuh and clucking riehohk, at times in

prolonged raucous duets and choruses that may suggest large parrots but are even worse, more discordant

and unpleasant. Lacks a ‘cha-cha-laca’ song. Also plaintive whistled squeals. STATUS: Fairly common to

common (where not hunted) on both slopes, locally to 1500m. (Honduras to nw. Colombia.)

BLACK GUAN  Chamaepetes unicolor 58–64cm. Distinctive, rather chunky

arboreal guan of cloud forest, elfin forest, adjacent second growth, especially

with fruiting trees and shrubs. Found as singles, pairs, and seasonally family

groups moving easily along branches in canopy; infrequently on ground, whence

may flush with quiet low croak and rather quiet wing noise, vs. noisy wings of

Crested Guan. Can be difficult to see in dense canopy amid thick branches,

moss, and bromeliads, but sometimes confiding and curious. Distinctive in

range and habitat: note overall blackish plumage with cobalt-blue bare face, red

eyes, pinkish-red legs. Juv. duller and sootier overall, face duller, soon like adult.

Crested Guan of lowlands and foothills much larger, with big red wattle, often noisy when flushed.

SOUNDS: Mostly silent; disturbed birds give muffled coughing grunts. In early breeding season, male

produces fairly loud, dry crackling rattle in gliding flight between trees, 1–1.5 secs, often preceded by a

double snap. STATUS:  Fairly common (where not hunted) to rare and local (with deforestation and

hunting), from timberline down locally to about 1000m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)