Plain Chachalaca

The Plain Chachalaca range from Southern Texas to Northern Costa Rica and just like their cousins the Chaco Chachalaca they are very curious, maybe even more courageous as I can get the Plains to eat from my hand. Plain Chachalaca also spend a large amount of time on the ground and will hurriedly run for cover when they feel threatened. They are obnoxiously loud as are most all Chachalaca birds with the male being the loudest of the genders. This is due to an evolutionary adaptation called a “tracheal loop”, the male chachalaca have an elongated trachea that hangs outside the breast and keel and curls similar to that of a trombone. Older males can have tracheal loops that extend from the breast to the vent. This adaptation gives the males a deeper and much louder call.  The hens are just as vocal but not as loud and much higher in pitch. Both genders are very similar in color and markings with the males being slightly larger and at 10-12 months expect the males to have a noticeable tracheal loop developing. You must catch and feel for the loop, it is not visible or if you’re experienced in chachalaca, the vocals will let you know. Plain Chachalaca are smaller than Chacos and similar in size to Road Runners.