Chachalacas

General Information

Chachalacas are generally found in open habitats of scrub and woodlands ranging from southern Texas to northwestern parts of South America. They live in loose flocks , traveling along the branches of trees feeding on fruits and leaves.

Fact sheets for selected chachalaca species:

SPECIES: Plain chachalaca, Ortalis vetula

STATUS:

CITES: Appendix III

IUCN: Low Risk

DISTRIBUTION: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Texas

THREATS:Hunting for food, loss of habitat due to introduction of exotic animals and fragmentation of habitat.

WILD POPULATION: 500,000+

SPECIES:Grey-headed chachalaca, Ortalis cinereiceps

STATUS:

CITES:

IUCN: Low Risk

DISTRIBUTION: Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama to NW Colombia

THREATS: Hunting for food, habitat fragmentation

WILD POPULATION: less than 200,000

SPECIES: Rufous-headed chachalaca, Ortalis erythrooptera

STATUS:

CITES:

IUCN: Endangered

DISTRIBUTION: W Ecuador, NW Peru, possibly SW Colombia

THREATS: Habitat destruction and fragmentation, hunting for food, human interference.

WILD POPULATION: less than 5,000