White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra

White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra. Photograph taken in the greater Zihuatanejo area, Guerrero, March 2018. Photograph courtesy of Ron Woheau, Zihuatanejo.

The White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra, is a member of the is a member of the Cracidae Family of Guans, Chachalacas and Curassows. They are mid-sized in stature. In Mexico they are thought to be found only in the coastal regions within the Pacific Slope in southeast Chiapas at elevations below 1,500 m (4,900 feet). Note: the above photograph documents a significant range extension for the White-bellied Chachalaca and one can assume that they are actually found within the Pacific Slope from Guerrero southward to Guatemala. From a conservation perspective the White-bellied Chachalaca is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are found in the thick undergrowth of swampy forests and within mangrove forests. They feed in groups of six or more birds and primarily consume seasonal berries and fruits and small amounts of buds, flowers, and leaves, as well as invertebrates.