Texas
Plain Chachalaca
Ortalis vetula
(L 22" WS 26" WT 1.2 lb)
Has a loud raucous call ...is
mostly arboreal, unlike its
chicken relatives.
11
Sabal Palm Sanctuary
12Apr2014
On the South Texas coast
there‘s a plain
And shy bird, which the hunters
maintain
Can provide them great sport,
To which I would retort:
Chachalacas should never be
slain.
      (OEDILF)
© Audubon
Society
© BirdNote,
Bob Sundstrom
© eBird
Ortalis is Greek for chicken
vetula is Latin for an old woman
with shrill, crackling cries.