CLASS AVES

West Mexican Chachalaca

Animals Kingdom (Animalia)

• Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

• Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

• Birds (Class Aves)

The West-mexican Chachalaca is a very loud and vocal member of the Cracid family. They are found on the Pacific Slope of Western Mexico. It has a gruff, throaty, rhythmic chattering, usually performed by several animals at the same time. Mainle vegetarian, they will eat leaves, fruits, seeds and flowers in the tree canopy. If in the mood they will eat insects and maybe even a small reptile. Its crown and nape are dull brownish gray and the rest of the upperparts pale brownish olive. The tail is slightly grayer and the feathers have broad buff tips. The breast is grayish olive and the belly whitish with a buff wash. The hazel eye is surrounded by bare carmine skin.