chachalaca

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

noun

, plural cha·cha·la·cas [chah-ch, uh, -, lah, -k, uh, z, chah-chah-, lah, -kahs].

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chachalaca¹

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