chachalaca

[chah-chuh-lah-kuh; Spanish chah-chah-lah-kah]

noun, plural cha·cha·la·cas

[chah-chuh-lah-kuh z; Spanish chah-chah-lah-kahs] /ˌtʃɑ tʃəˈlɑ kəz; Spanish ˌtʃɑ tʃɑˈlɑ kɑs/.

any of several slender guans of the genus Ortalis, of Central America, Mexico, and southern Texas, having loud, harsh cries.

Origin of chachalaca

1850–55, Americanism; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl: to chatter, especially of birds; compare Nahuatl chachalacametl the chachalaca