Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 65 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 90 mm | 135 mm | 60 mm | 45 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 179 mm | 269 mm | 120 mm | 90 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 269 mm | 404 mm | 179 mm | 135 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 359 mm | 539 mm | 239 mm | 179 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 538 mm | 808 mm | 359 mm | 269 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 897 mm | 1,347 mm | 598 mm | 449 mm |
About the Plain Chachalaca#
The plain chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) is a large bird in the chachalaca, guan and curassow family Cracidae. It breeds in tropical and subtropical environments from mezquital thickets in the Rio Grande Valley in southernmost Texas, United States to northernmost Costa Rica. In Central America, this species occurs in the Pacific lowlands from Chiapas, Mexico to northern Nicaragua and as a separate population in Costa Rica, where its range is separated by a short distance, as a...
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Shoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
- Sightings peak in March and April, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Plain Chachalaca?
At about 65 cm long, a plain chachalaca fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 179 mm, or at 20 m with 359 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Plain Chachalaca?
1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Plain Chachalaca?
Observations in North America peak in March and April. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources