The rufous-vented chachalaca (Ortalis ruficauda) is a member of an ancient group of birds of the family Cracidae, which are related to the Australasian mound builders.

This combined with relatively low hunting pressure, make it far less vulnerable than larger members of the family, notably curassows.

The male's call is a loud low ka-ka-rooki-rooki-ka, answered by the female's high-pitched watch-a-lak, which they often repeat several times in a row, in precise synchronization.

It walks along branches seeking the fruit (such as mangoes, berries and those from the Euterpe palm), leaves[2] and seeds on which it feeds.

The twig nest is built low in a tree, and three or four large white eggs are laid.