Chachalacas are found in wooded habitats in far southern United States (Texas), Mexico, and Central and South America.
They are social, can be very noisy and often remain fairly common even near humans, as their relatively small size makes them less desirable to hunters than their larger relatives.
They have a mostly brown plumage. They somewhat resemble the guans.
- Grey-headed Chachalacas, Ortalis poliocephala
- Chestnut-winged Chachalaca, Ortalis garrula
- Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula
- Chaco Chachalaca, Ortalis canicollis
- White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra
- Colombian Chachalaca, Ortalis columbiana
- Speckled Chachalaca, Ortalis guttata
- East Brazilian Chachalaca, Ortalis (guttata) araucuan
- Scaled Chachalaca, Ortalis (guttata) squamata
- Little Chachalaca, Ortalis motmot
- Chestnut-headed Chachalaca, Ortalis (motmot) ruficeps
- Buff-browed Chachalaca, Ortalis superciliaris
