Rufous-headed chachalaca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rufous-headed chachalaca |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ortalis
|
| Species: |
erythroptera
|
 |
|
The rufous-headed chachalaca (Ortalis erythroptera) is a type of bird. It belongs to a family of birds called Cracidae. This family includes chachalacas, guans, and curassows. You can find this bird in parts of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Contents
What Does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca Look Like?
The rufous-headed chachalaca is about 56 to 66 centimeters (22 to 26 inches) long. It weighs around 620 to 645 grams (1.4 to 1.4 pounds). This bird has a reddish-brown head and neck. Its back is gray-brown.
The feathers in the middle of its tail are dark gray. The outer tail feathers are gray near its body. They turn a reddish-brown color on their outer parts. The bird's lower chest and belly are a creamy white color. Its main flight feathers are a bright reddish-brown. The bird has brown eyes. Around its eyes, the skin is bare and bluish-gray. Its legs are a pale blue.
Where Does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca Live?
The rufous-headed chachalaca lives in a few specific areas. You can find it in the very southwest part of Colombia. It also lives in the very northwest part of Peru. In western Ecuador, it lives in several small to medium-sized areas.
This bird likes to live in dry forests. These are forests where trees lose their leaves. It also lives in cloudforests. These forests are often found in misty, high places. It lives near the coast and in the foothills of the Andes mountains. Usually, it lives from sea level up to about 1,390 meters (4,560 feet) high. Sometimes, it has been seen as high as 1,850 meters (6,070 feet). People have even heard it near 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
How Does the Rufous-headed Chachalaca Behave?
What Does It Eat?
Rufous-headed chachalacas usually look for food in groups. These groups have about two to seven birds. They are known to eat only fruit. However, they might also eat leaves.
Reproduction
The breeding season for the rufous-headed chachalaca seems to happen during the rainy season. This is usually from January to May. Birds kept in captivity lay about three eggs at a time.
What Sounds Does It Make?
The rufous-headed chachalaca makes the most noise before dawn and in the early morning. Its main call is a loud, repeated sound. It can sound like "kwak-ar-ar-ar," "cha-cha-kaw," or a sharper "kra-kra-kra." The male bird usually starts this call. Pairs of birds make several different sounds. These include a soft cooing or clucking sound. They also make a harsh "cow" sound. Another call is a fast, repeated "kawuck."
Why Is the Rufous-headed Chachalaca Vulnerable?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the rufous-headed chachalaca as a Vulnerable species. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. The areas where it lives are broken up into smaller pieces. Also, the number of these birds is small and getting smaller.
The main reasons for this decline are Habitat destruction and hunting. People are destroying the places where these birds live. Also, hunting them is a problem.
