Guacharaca Caribeña
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca
Ortalis garrula
Song
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca
Appearance: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is a medium-sized bird with a marked appearance. It has a chestnut-colored wings and tail, a gray head, neck, and breast, and a chestnut belly. The eyes are red and the bill is short and strong.
Habitat: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is found in humid forests and lowland rainforests. They prefer dense vegetation and are often seen foraging in the canopy or on the forest floor.
Behavior: These birds are known for their loud and raucous calls, which they use for communication within their group and to establish territory. They are social birds and are found in small groups or family units.
Breeding: The breeding behavior of the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca involves building platform nests in trees or bushes. They lay multiple eggs, which are then incubated by both parents. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile shortly after hatching.
Conservation Status: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Distribution
Andean Region: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is found in the Andean region: Western, Central, and Northern Andes in the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindio, Norte de Santander, and Santander.
Pacific Coast: Along the Pacific coast of Colombia, particularly in the department of Chocó, where they can be found in the coastal lowlands and foothills.
Magdalena Valley: The bird also inhabits parts of the Magdalena River valley, which spans departments like Tolima, Huila, and Cundinamarca.
Eastern Andes: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca has been documented in some regions of northern Colombia, including areas within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Guajira Peninsula.
Taxonomy
The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca (Ortalis garrula)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Cracidae
- Genus: Ortalis
- Species: Ortalis garrula
Vocalization
Advertising Calls: These calls are used to establish territory and attract potential mates. They are loud and distinctive, serving to alert nearby individuals of the presence of the bird.
Contact Calls: These calls are used to maintain communication within the group or family unit. They help the birds stay in contact with one another, especially when foraging or moving through the dense vegetation of their habitat.
Alarm Calls: When the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca detects a potential threat, it will emit alarm calls to warn other group members. These calls are sharper and more intense than their regular vocalizations.
Agonistic Calls: During territorial disputes or confrontations with other birds, the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca may produce specific calls that convey aggression or submission. These calls play a role in establishing social hierarchy and resolving conflicts.
Juvenile Calls: Young Chestnut-winged Chachalacas often have particular calls that may signal their presence or their need for food or attention from their parents.Their vocal repertoire is diverse and varied, reflecting the bird's complex social behavior and the importance of communication within its group.
