chachalaca

[ chah-chuh-lah-kuh; Spanish chah-chah-lah-kah ]

noun,plural cha·cha·la·cas [chah-chuh-lah-kuhz; Spanish chah-chah-lah-kahs]. /ˌtʃɑ tʃəˈlɑ kəz; Spanish ˌtʃɑ tʃɑˈlɑ kɑs/.
  1. any of several slender guans of the genus Ortalis, of Central America, Mexico, and southern Texas, having loud, harsh cries.

Origin of chachalaca

1
1850–55, Americanism;<Mexican Spanish <Nahuatl: to chatter, especially of birds; compare Nahuatl chachalacametl the chachalaca

Words Nearby chachalaca

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024