Crested Screamer

Chauna torguata from the Milwaukee County Zoo

The Crested, or Southern, Screamer is a large Goose-sized bird native to southern South America. They can be found near tropical and subtropical aquatic areas. Though they live close to water, and are able to swim, they spend a lot of their time on land. They don't even have webbed feet!

Crested Screamers get their name because boy, are they loud! Their vocalizations can be heard more than 2 miles (3.2km) away! But keep in mind, they aren't the prettiest sounding birds. Their vocalizations includes booming trumpeting noises and gutteral drumming.

A pair of Crested Screamers will typically remain together monogamously for a few breeding seasons. Sometimes the pair bond will even last for a lifetime. (Which is about 15 years) The couple will build a huge nest in an area near water. This nest may be used multiple times over the years, and is vigorously defended. Up to seven eggs are laid, and the hatchlings leave the nest and are able to feed on their own very shortly after birth. After only 3 months they will leave their parents and join groups of other young, non-breeding birds.

Crested Screamers are relatively common birds throughout their range. Farmers will even snag them as chicks and raise them along with their chickens. When the Screamer grows up it watches over the flock and warns (loudly) against danger.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : South America

Size : Length up to 3ft (.9m), Weight up to 10lbs (4.5kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anhimidae -- Genus : Chauna -- Species : C. torquata