Chachalacas, Guans and Curassows (Cracidae)

Grey-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps) - HBW 2, p. 343

French: Ortalide à tête grise German: Graukopfguan Spanish: Chachalaca Cabecigrís

Taxonomy: Ortalida cinereiceps G. R. Gray, 1867, north west coast of America, error = Pearl Islands (?).
Forms superspecies with O. garrula, of which has been considered a race, but differs in voice and plumage, and, despite claims of sporadic hybridization in wild, they are separated by stretch of dense forest probably unsuitable for any Ortalis (see page 312). Several races (frantzii, mira, olivacea, chocoensis) proposed on basis of colour tone; but differences slight and essentially clinal. Monotypic.

Distribution: E Honduras, E & C Nicaragua, Costa Rica (except drier NW), Panama (including Isla del Rey in Pearl Is, where perhaps introduced by Indians) and adjacent NW Colombia.