ANIMALS FINDER

Crested screamer

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Hàbitat Natural
Location in the zoo

Escolta'l

Geographic distribution:

Central and south South America, from northeast Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to Brazil, Peru and Bolivia

Scientific name:
- Chauna torquata
Taxonomy:
- Class: Birds
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anhimidae
Biology:
- Area of origin: America
- Habitat: Marsh
- Social life: Gregarious
- Food: Herbivorous

Rating:
- Birds
Physical Characteristics:
- Longevity: more than 15 years
- Weight at birth:
- Middleweight: 4-4,4 kg
- Length: 83-95 cm
Reproduction
- Reproduction: Oviparous
- Incubation: 43-46 days
- Number of eggs: 2-7, normally 3-5

Risk level of the species

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Red list: Scale according to the situation of the species IUCN

Description

The crested screamer is the most common of the three living species of anhimidae, a family that belongs to the order of anseriformes –although it doesn’t look like it- just like ducks and geese.
It is a stout bird with strong, long legs. The presence of two curved pointy spurs on the front edge of the wing, up to 5 cm long, used as a defensive weapon, is their most characteristic trait. However, what most clearly separates the anhimidae from the rest of the anseriformes is the shape of the beak, short and curved, very different from a duck’s beak and closely resembling those of rapacious birds.
The name screamer pays homage to their powerful cry, audible from great distances. Their area of distribution covers the central part of South America (Bolivia, Paraguay, south Brazil and north Argentina), preferring wetlands, but also occupying the open pampas.
Their diet is largely vegetarian, although they also eat insects and other small animals.
During the year, these birds form into small groups, although during the reproduction period, they break into pairs. The nest is voluminous, sometimes made over the water, but normally on the shores of lagoons and streams.

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