The speckled chachalaca is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland tropical forests of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Prefers forest edges, riverine thickets, and secondary growth where fruiting shrubs and trees are abundant. Also uses gallery forests and disturbed habitats, including plantations and clearings adjacent to forest. Often found near watercourses and along varzea and terra firme forest margins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The speckled chachalaca is a medium-sized member of the Cracidae, noted for its loud, chorus-like calls at dawn and dusk. It thrives in edge habitats and secondary growth, often visiting fruiting trees near rivers and clearings. Social and wary, it travels in small groups and can be surprisingly elusive despite its vocal nature.
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with gliding bursts
Social Behavior
Typically moves in small, noisy groups of 3–10 birds along forest edges and through mid-canopy. Pairs or family groups maintain loose territories and roost communally. Nests are shallow platforms of twigs and leaves placed in dense vegetation or small trees, with both parents attending young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, raucous choruses with rhythmic cha-cha-lac and chattering notes, most intense at dawn and dusk. Calls carry long distances through the forest edge and can involve antiphonal exchanges within a group.
Plumage
Overall olive-brown to brown with fine whitish speckling and scaling on the head, neck, and breast; back and wings plainer. Long, graduated tail; underparts slightly paler with mottling most pronounced anteriorly.
Diet
Primarily consumes fruits and berries from a variety of native trees and shrubs. Also takes young leaves, buds, and flowers, and occasionally seeds. Insects and other small invertebrates may be taken opportunistically, especially during breeding or when fruit is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in mid-story to canopy at fruiting trees, but will descend to edges, clearings, and riverbanks. Frequently forages along secondary growth and disturbed habitats where fruit is abundant.
