Order: GALLIFORMES
Family: CRACIDAE
Its name comes from the Greek Ortalis which means hen and Columbian refers to Colombia, which is the country from which it is endemic.
Description
Small guacharaca of 53 cm in length. It does not exhibit sexual dimorphism. It is characterized by presenting the front part of the neck and chest scaled in white. It has a small red tail, the head is grayish in color and the forehead is white, the body in general exhibits a grayish-brown color. The legs are pink and its long tail is brown.
Similar species
It can be confused with the Variable Guacharaca (Ortalis guttata) in its general appearance, but it differs from it by presenting a white scaly neck and breast, while O. guttata has these parts speckled with white. O. columbiana also exhibits º lighter coloration on the head and belly.
Regional Differences
Two subspecies are recognized: O.c.columbiana and O.c.caucae. These two subspecies are found in Colombia
Distribution
It is an endemic species of Colombia and is distributed between 100 and 2500 meters above sea level. It is found west of the Andes in the foothills of Valle del Cauca and the Magdalena Valley.
Habitat.gif
Premontane forests, humid forests and forest edges.
Feeding
Their diet consists mainly of fruits, having an important role in the dispersal of seeds.
Reproduction
They build the nest in the trees with branches and vegetation. The female lays about two eggs.
Behaviour
It is found most of the time in trees and is observed in pairs or small groups.
Taxonomy
It was previously considered a subspecies of Ortalis guttata, but a recent SACC proposal treats O. columbiana as a separate species from O. guttata.
State of conservation
It is considered a species of least concern and according to Birdlife International it is classified as a low risk of extinction as it is a relatively abundant species. In some studies, high priority is recommended in terms of conservation and further investigation of its natural history, since it is an endemic species of Colombia.
Vocalization/ Voice
https://www.xeno-canto.org/567462
References
Avibase 2011. Ortalis columbiana. Downloaded from http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?lang=ES&avibaseid=1F58D15F8B188713 on 10/07/2011
Donegan, T. et al. 2010. Revision of the status of bird species occurring in Colombia 2010. Colombian Conservation, Vol 13, pp 25-54.
Hilty, S. L. and W. L. Brown. 2001. Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Princetn. Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ.
IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. . Downloaded on 10 Jul 2011.
Jobling, C. 2010. The Helm dictionary of scientific birds names. Christopher Helm and A & C Black Publishers Ltda. London.
Ochoa, J.M. et al. 2006. Biodiversity Conservation Strategy of the DMI-AICA of the Alicante River Canyon. Corantioquia.
Remsen, J. V., Jr., C. D. Cadena, A. Jaramillo, M. Nores, J. F. Pacheco, J. Pérez-Emán, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, D. F. Stotz, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 27 June 2011. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithologists’ Union. http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html
