Plain Chachalaca

The chachalaca is a chicken like bird found in Mexico and Central America. They do range as far north as southern Texas, making them the only member of the Cracidae family found in the United States. Unlike many other chicken type of bird plain chachalaca are often found in the trees gleaning fruit, which is primarily what they eat, from the branches. This helps them to avoid some of the animals on the ground which may present problems such as javelina and rattle snakes. I photographed this chahcalaca at the Martin Refuge in south Texas.

Plain Chachalaca

The plain chachalaca is a chicken type of bird that is found in the tropical and subtropical of Mexico and Central America. It is the only species of chachalaca that has expanded north into the United States. In the U.S. it is found in the scrub forests of southern Texas.
Unlike many other chicken like birds the plain chachalaca spends more time feeding in the trees then it does foraging on the ground. They eat primarily fruit, seeds, flowers and leaves. They are usually wary and will usually flee from danger by running into dense thickets. I photographed these birds in south Texas, the first at Bentsen State ark and the second at the Martin refuge.