[3] The rufous-bellied chachalaca is 62 to 67 cm (2.0 to 2.2 ft) long and weighs about 834 g (1.8 lb).

Most of its plumage is gray brown to olive brown, but its chestnut belly and tail tips make it the most richly colored member of its genus.

[3] The rufous-bellied chachalaca is found in western Mexico from southern Sonora south to northwestern Jalisco.

It inhabits tropical deciduous, semi-deciduous, and thorn forest and, along the coast, mangroves.

[3] The rufous-bellied chachalaca forages in groups of up to 10, gleaning fruit from trees.