Guacharaca Caribeña
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca
Ortalis Garrula
Song
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca
Appearance: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive 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 typically 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 often 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 conservation status of the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca in Colombia is currently categorized as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Distribution
Andean Region: The Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is commonly found in the Andean region of Colombia, including the Western, Central, and Northern Andes. This includes departments such as Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindio, Norte de Santander, and Santander.
Pacific Coast: Along the Pacific coast of Colombia, particularly in the department of Chocó, the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca 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: In certain areas of the Eastern Andes of Colombia, such as in Boyacá and Meta, populations of the Ortalis garrula can also be found.Northern Colombia: 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 often 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 typically 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 distinct calls that may signal their presence or their need for food or attention from their parents.The vocal repertoire of the Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is diverse and varied, reflecting the bird's complex social behavior and the importance of communication within its group. By listening to and interpreting these calls, researchers and enthusiasts can gain insight into the interactions and dynamics of this species in its natural habitat.
