Chachalacas and Guans - Ortalides et pénélopes

Cracids include currasows, guans, and chachalacas. They are only found in the neotropics.

These birds are similar in shape to turkeys. They have long, thick tails; small bills, large feet, and small heads. They are dull in color and eat seeds, insects, worms, and fruit. Large, they tend to become rare because of another trait shared with turkeys- they taste good.

They nest in trees and their chicks are precocial can move around and feed themselves shortly after birth and can fly a few days after hatching.

Most cracids are highly vocal and their calls can carry a considerable distance.

Did you know ??

• Many Cracids run along tree branches and jump from tree branch to tree branch when moving towards the treetops. From the treetops cracids may glide or flutter to other locations.