The scaled chachalaca is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Eastern Brazil, Atlantic Forest
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and foothill Atlantic Forest, including forest edges, secondary growth, and gallery forest. Readily uses disturbed habitats such as abandoned clearings, cacao agroforests (cabruca), and orchards near woodland. Often found near rivers and in semi-open woodland mosaics. Avoids the deepest interior of intact forest but remains largely arboreal, descending to the ground to forage.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Scaled chachalacas are early-morning noisemakers, delivering loud, rollicking choruses that carry far through the forest. They often move in small, family-sized parties along forest edges and secondary growth, helping disperse seeds as they feed on fruits. Their finely edged, “scaled” plumage on the neck and breast gives the species its name.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct flights between perches
Social Behavior
Typically travels in pairs, family groups, or small parties. Forms loose flocks outside the breeding season and often roosts communally in trees. Nests are shallow platforms of sticks and leaves placed in dense vegetation or low trees; clutches are small.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, raucous choruses often rendered as repeated chah-lah-lah or chack-a-lack phrases, especially at dawn and dusk. Calls are antiphonal, with pairs or groups duetting in escalating sequences.
Plumage
Olive-brown to gray-brown overall with fine pale edging on the neck and breast creating a scaled appearance; long, broad tail often with a paler terminal band.
Diet
Eats a variety of wild fruits and berries, supplemented with leaves, buds, flowers, and seeds. Will take small invertebrates opportunistically. Swallows fruits whole and later regurgitates seeds, playing a role in seed dispersal. Forages deliberately, pausing to scan before plucking food.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid-story and canopy along forest edges, secondary growth, and riparian corridors. Also visits fruiting trees in agroforestry settings and gardens adjacent to woodland.
