Ortalis; Print; Chachalacas are galliform birds from the genus Ortalis. These birds are found in wooded habitats in the 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. As invasive pests; they have a ravenous appetite for tomatoes; melons; beans; and radishes and can ravage a small garden in short order. They travel in packs of six to twelve. They somewhat resemble the guans; and the two have commonly been placed in a subfamily together; though the chachalacas are probably closer to the curassows.