
26. Penelovina nigra (Fraser) 
Guatemalan Black Chachalaca 
Other Names.-— 
Guatemalan: cojolita, cayaya, klyi, pasha 
English: black pheasant, black chachalaca 
Status.--The black chachalaca is reported to be 4 relatively uncommon resident of the sub- 
tropical Zone forests on the higher mountains. 
slender pheasant, black in coloration, slightly larger than 
), with the chin, as well as the throat, bare and red in color. 
part of the throat. 
Description.--Built like 4 
Ortaligs (length 534-635 mm. 
A conspicuous dewlap is vresent on the lower 
Mensurenenis- (5) eeeeicas 
Wing, 223-266 (247) Wing, 226-254 (240.1) 
Tail, 265-300 (282) Tail, 274-312 (289) 
Tarsus, 72-81 (77.7) Tarsus, 67~79 (76.3) 
Exposed culmen, 24.5-26.4 (25.6) Exposed culmen, 22.5-26.5 (24.8) 
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General Distribution.-—-Recorded only from the State of Chiapas, Mexico; Guatemala and 
Nicaragua, 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Subtropical Zone forests of the high mountains. 
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Records.—-Thie species wae reported by local hunters to occur at: Nebaj, in the dense 
mountain forests: on the higher mountains near Solold, Quetzaltenango, and San Marcos, 
and at San José Pasulin. One of these birds wae seen in the heavy forest above Finca 
Helvetia on April 10, 1947, and their calls were heard there, and near Nebaj, April 26, 
1947, - : 
‘In literature it has been recorded from: . Cob&n, tay de Agua, Volcan de 
Fuego, El Rincén, and San Marcos (Salvin and Godman); Chimo (Griscom). 
Habits and Hunting.--This species occurs in the rain forest of the high mountains. 
Dickey and van Rossem (1938) wrote, "The habitat of Penelopina nigra is on the steep, 
heavily forested slopes and ravines of the wildest part of the mountains, where the 
undergrowth of the ferns, moss-covered fallen logs and underbrush is densest." Regarding 
roosting places they wrote, "It appears that the black chachas roost in the highest pines; 
at least many of them do so." 
When being hunted, the black chacha attempts to escape by running through the 
undergrowth, or if dense tall cover is near, by a low, short flight. If surprised ina 
tree while feeding or roosting, it often hops from branch to branch, to another tree. Of 
this species, Griscom quoted Anthony as follows, "Well distributed in the high, forested 
parts of northern Guatemala. It was reported from the volcanoes near Antigua. At San 
Lucas the natives had parts of its plumage and assured me it was common on the volcanoes 
there. Near Barrillos and Nebaj the birds could be heard, but none were seen. A pair was 
shot near Sepacuite, where the birds were not rare but, as wherever found, very hard to 
secure. The natives state that they are always found in pairs, male and female, and if 
the male is shot, the female will linger in the near vicinity until she, too, falls, a 
statement sustained by my own limited experience. A pair of these beautiful birds was 
living with the fowls at La Primavera, and were much more tame than the chickens. They 
had the free run of the yard and often flew to the nearby forest, to be gone, perhaps, 
for hours, but always returned before night to roost in a tree in the dooryard. The 
native name, Kiyi, is supposed to be a more or less correct rendition of its note. 
However, I could not see much resemblance, fhe only cry that I ever felt sure came from 
this species was a sharp yelp, difficult to repeat." 
Regarding roosting habits they wrote, "A short time after sundown we began to 
hear the curious, whirring rattle and saw, here and there, males flying from the ravine 
undergrowth to the pine tops. This noise sounds very much like a policeman's rattle and 
is given on a descending scale . . . Once in the trees these birds were completely hidden, 
both because of the masses of parasitic growth and the poor light... I saw no females, 
nor more than a single male go to a tree... 
40 
