Taxonomic Status of the Rufous-Bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis wagleri)

The Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis wagleri, of northwestern Mexico was merged with the morphologically different West Mexican Chachalaca, Ortalis poliocephala, on the basis of hybrids taken in the vicinity of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (Moore and Medina 1957). Eight specimens from that vicinity vary in appearance chronologically, from an individual similar to wagleri in 1892 through skins appearing to be F1 hybrids in 1955 to birds nearly indistinguishable from poliocephala in 1961. There is no other evidence of contact between the two forms. This is deemed insufficient evidence for considering the forms conspecific, and I recommend that Ortalis wagleri be restored to the status of species.