CRESTED SCREAMER

The Crested Screamer (Chauna torquata), more commonly called the Southern Screamer, belongs to the Order of Anseriformes. It's found in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Diet consists of plants stems, seeds and leaves, rarely it eats small animals. It is about 3.5 foot long and lives in swamps, estuaries and pool coasts. It is a good swimmer but prefer to move in the ground. When in danger it often retreat to the treetops where they can view the disturbance from a safe distance. The bony spurs on their wings are used for protection against rival screamers and other enemies. Although it is non-migratory, it is an excellent flier, sailing in circles until out of sight according with some witnesses. They are normally seen in pairs but sometimes they gather in large groups if there is a lot of food in one place. It establishes monogamous relationships that last a lifetime. Its lifespan is estimated to be at 15 years. For the nest the couple makes a big platform of reeds, straws and other aquatic plants, in inaccessible places. The female lays up to between 2 to 7 white eggs. The incubation takes 43 to 46 days and the couple take turns during this period, doing a ceremony with screams. The chicks leave the nest as soon as they break the eggshell but they parents take care of them for several weeks. The fledging period takes 8 to 14 weeks.

Contents

References

References

★ Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
http://www.saczoo.com/1_about/_animals/fact_sheets/southern_crested_screamer2.pdf - saczoo.com