Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda

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Identification

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A large, long-tailed, chickenlike, and ground-dwelling bird of scrub and woodlands. Brown overall with a buff-orange vent. Commonly runs from perceived threats but sometimes bursts into rapid short flight. Unique in Caribbean, but in northern South America Chestnut-winged Chachalaca is light underneath and lacks rufous in tail. Produces a variety of vocalizations, including a loud “wuck-a-wuck-wuck” that is given in a crescendo series, a quiet muttered “wuck-wuck-wuck…,” a loud and squeaky shrill call often heard as “yuck” that is produced singly or in a series, and a loud squeaky “zwick,” given singly or in rapid bursts.

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