Rufous-headed Chachalaca Ortalis erythroptera Scientific name definitions

The Rufous-headed Chachalaca is found in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Plain in coloration, the Rufous-headed Chachalaca has a creamy colored abdomen and breast, with bright chestnut on the primaries and the tips of its tail. These birds are residents of dry deciduous forest, humid cloud forest, savanna and occasionally agricultural land. In the Sorzoranga Mountains of southern Ecuador, this species of chachalaca is found in dry Ceiba dominated deciduous forest and evergreen forest patches. The Rufous-headed Chachalaca forages in small groups of 2 to 7 individuals. This species has experienced a range constriction in recent years due to logging, overgrazing and hunting pressure.

56–66 cm; 620–645 g. Similar to <em>O. garrula</em> , but tail tips rufous/chestnut and lower breast and abdomen more creamy. Iris brown, facial skin dark bluish grey and legs pale blue (1 Delacour, J., and D. Amadon (2004). Curassows and Related Birds. Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Close ). Juvenile apparently undescribed (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), but unlikely to differ significantly from adult.

Dry deciduous forest and humid cloudforest, occasionally on agricultural land, in tropical coastal zone, inland to Andean foothills. Whether species really occurs in thickets, savanna and brushy areas demands confirmation (4 Freile, J.F., Moreano V., M., Bonaccorso, E., Santander, T. and Chaves, J.A. (2004). Notas sobre la historia natural, distribución y conservación de algunas especies de aves amenazadas del suroccidente de Ecuador. Cotinga. 21: 18–24. Close ). Presence of permanent water may be important during dry season (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). In Sozoranga Mts, Loja (S Ecuador), occurs in dry Ceiba-dominated deciduous forest, but is commoner in semi-evergreen and evergreen forest patches (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ). Previously observed from around sea-level up to 1390 m, but recently seen at 1850 m (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ), and heard apparently not much below 2500 m. Not found in arid regions.

No information available, but presumably sedentary.

Diet known to contain only fruit (6 Muñoz, M.C. and Kattan, G.H. (2007). Diets of cracids: how much do we know? Orn. Neotropical. 18(1): 21–36. Close ). Birds have been observed pecking leaves of cloudforest trees, and one bird had leaves in its stomach; recorded feeding on coffee berries, Ficus (Moraceae) and Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) fruits, and Cecropia (Urticaceae) catkins (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). A flock frequented a banana plantation (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ); also seen on ground in maize field (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ). Forages mainly in small groups of 2–7 birds.

Regularly vocalizes in early morning, sometimes from well before dawn (7 Parker, T. A., T. S. Schulenberg, M. Kessler, and W. H. Wust (1995). Natural history and conservation of the endemic avifauna in north-west Peru. Bird Conservation International 5(2–3):201–231. Close ) (like other Ortalis), with neighbouring groups counter-calling from tall trees, and less frequently groups call for extended periods during day (mainly late morning, during afternoon and sometimes nocturnally; the latter speculated to be response to hunting activity) (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ); sporadic calling by single birds is unlikely to stimulate conspecifics to vocalize (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ). Main call is raucous, repeated “kwak-ar-ar-ar”, “cha-cha-kaw” or shriller “kra-kra-kra”, usually initiated by male (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), considered to be noticeably slower, less complex and lower-pitched than congenerics; pairs give variety of calls including a soft cooing or clucking (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), harsh “cow”, and fast, repeated “kawuck” (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ).

In NW Peru silent, and probably not breeding, during dry season (Jun–Jul); suspected to breed there around Feb, when more vocal (7 Parker, T. A., T. S. Schulenberg, M. Kessler, and W. H. Wust (1995). Natural history and conservation of the endemic avifauna in north-west Peru. Bird Conservation International 5(2–3):201–231. Close ) and overall breeding season throughout range suspected to parallel wet season (Jan–May), though specimen from Aug was in breeding condition (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Lays three eggs (in captivity); incubation 26–28 days (in captivity); chicks unevenly rust-brown, chestnut-brown to dark brown and black above, paler below; reach adult size at six months (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ).

VULNERABLE. Previously considered Near Threatened. Overall population speculated to number no more than 10,000 birds. Has suffered range contraction which appears to be closely linked with habitat destruction, through logging, overgrazing and agricultural intensification. Uncommon to rare in all localities where known to occur in Peru, including some where forest is in good condition. More widely distributed in W Ecuador, but major decline also reported there; only 3% of Ecuador’s lowland forest estimated to remain in 1991, when surviving patches were being further exploited and degraded. Previously unknown population found in 1989 in Sozoranga Mts, Loja; birds found in small patches (up to 30 ha) of remaining premontane forest, which has mostly been severely altered, and substituted by tall second growth and dense scrub; species also found on lower slopes, where much more extensive forest legally protected below 1000 m. In 1991 an international expedition (Ecuadorian Dry Forest Project) located c. 30 groups, totalling c. 100 birds at seven localities in Loja and El Oro; maximum density of six calling groups in area of 1–2 km² recorded in Sozoranga area, where species fairly common in many forest remnants (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ); some seen in degraded areas and on agricultural land, but habitat requirements poorly understood. Significant population recently discovered in Esmeraldas, far NW Ecuador, around Canandé Reserve; perhaps 1000 birds. Also suffers hunting pressure, though less than other, larger cracids; in Sozoranga, birds seen in forests adjacent to roads and near villages (5 Best, B. J., C. T. Clarke, M. Checker, A. L. Broom, R. M. Thewlis, W. Duckworth, and A. McNab (1993). Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 113(2/4):108–119, 234–255. Close ); relative unpalatability of adults may limit hunting to shortly after breeding season when tender juveniles present. Hunted by soldiers posted along border between Ecuador and Peru (7 Parker, T. A., T. S. Schulenberg, M. Kessler, and W. H. Wust (1995). Natural history and conservation of the endemic avifauna in north-west Peru. Bird Conservation International 5(2–3):201–231. Close ), at least formerly (military presence in this area has decreased markedly in recent years) (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), and nestlings are reputedly taken by local people to cross-breed with domestic chickens, to produce better fighting cocks (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Another probable threat is genetic isolation of groups in forest remnants. More information is required concerning its resilience to hunting and ability to persist and breed in degraded habitats (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ). Occurs in several protected areas, including Machalilla National Park in Ecuador and Tumbes National Forest in Peru, although both subject to disturbance. Known from several protected areas including Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), Manglares-Churute Ecological Reserve (8 Alava, J. J., X. Arosemena, E. Astudillo, M. Costantino, M. Peñafiel, and C. Bohorquez (2007). Occurrence, abundance and notes on some threatened Ecuadorian birds in the El Canclón Lagoon, Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve. Ornitología Neotropical 18(2):223–232. Close ), Buenaventura Reserve , El Tundo Nature Reserve (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), Machalilla National Park (2 del Hoyo, J., and A. Motis (2004). Update chapter. In Curassows and Related Birds (J. Delacour, and D. Amadon), Second edition. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, and American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. pp. 322–476. Close ), Loma Alta Ecological Reserve (Ecuador) (9 Becker, C. D., and B. López (1997). Conservation value of a Garua forest in the dry season: a bird survey in Reserva Ecológica de Loma Alta, Ecuador. Cotinga 8:66–74. Close ) and El Angolo Hunting Preserve (10 Barrio, J., D. García-Olaechea, and A. More (2015). The avifauna of El Angola Hunting Reserve, north-west Peru: natural history notes. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 135(1):6–20. Close ) and Tumbes Reserved Zone (Peru) (7 Parker, T. A., T. S. Schulenberg, M. Kessler, and W. H. Wust (1995). Natural history and conservation of the endemic avifauna in north-west Peru. Bird Conservation International 5(2–3):201–231. Close ). Rare in captivity, but successfully bred in 1989 in Ornithological Zoo at Schmiding, Austria, and there is breeding programme at Olmos, Peru#R.