The name Plain Chachalaca doesn’t invoke images of a very interesting bird, well at least the plain part doesn’t. Chachalaca, on the other hand has to be one of the most fun bird names I know. Admittedly the plumage of these birds is pretty plain and drab but what this species lacks in flashy feathers it makes up for in attitude and raucous vocalizations. We watched a big flock of these “little turkeys” as they impatiently waited for the volunteers to show up with the suet at Bentsen State Park earlier this week. This one almost seemed like a lookout, or at least it did a great job staring me down as I tried to find the ideal spot to wait for a good Green Jay photo. While all the other chachalacas scurried around on the ground this character sat focused on me barely moving for quite some time.

www.texastargetbirds.com

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Ortalis vetula