chachalaca

American  

[chah-chuh-lah-kuh, chah-chah-lah-kah] / ˌtʃɑ tʃəˈlɑ kə, ˌtʃɑ tʃɑˈlɑ kɑ /

noun

plural

chachalacas

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

---

Etymology

Origin of chachalaca

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

Example Sentences

A pheasant-like bird called the chachalaca still perches on the Mexican plumeria tree with its delicate white blossoms.

From New York Times • May 6, 2022

The loudmouthed chachalaca birds once were natural sentries, but most had been shot by the son of a neighbor whom Rios suspects of smuggling.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2018

Recipes of other birds are sadly overdue: pheasant, partridge, Cornish hen, Guinea fowl, chachalaca, and quail.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2017

The black-bellied whistling duck, the Swainson's warbler, the pileated woodpecker, the Caspian tern, the chachalaca and the dickcissel were all sighted, and all, says Peterson, were "old friends either by sight or sound."

From Time Magazine Archive

On this day, as L�pez speaks, a supporter carries onto the stage a cage holding two large, squawking chachalaca birds.

From Time Magazine Archive