- Horned Screamer
Taxobox
name = Horned Screamer
image_width = 200px
image_caption =Horned Screamer ("A. cornuta")
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International |year=2004|id=47118|title=Anhima cornuta|downloaded=06 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern]
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Anseriformes
familia = Anhimidae
genus = "Anhima"
genus_authority = Brisson, 1760
species = "A. cornuta"
binomial = "Anhima cornuta"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus,1766 )The Horned Screamer ("Anhima cornuta") is a member of a small family ofbird s, the Anhimidae, which occur only in tropicalSouth America . There are threescreamer species, the other two being theCrested Screamer and theBlack-necked Screamer in the genus "Chauna".They are related to the
duck s, geese andswan s, which are in the familyAnatidae , but have bills looking more like those of game birds.The Horned Screamer is found from
Colombia andVenezuela south toBrazil and easternBolivia . It is now extinct inTrinidad .This is a massive 84-95 cm (33-38 in) long, 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) bird, with a small chicken-like bill. The upperparts, head and breast are black, with white speckles on the crown, throat and wing coverts. There is a long quill projecting forward from the crown, which gives this species its name. The belly and under wing coverts are white. It has two sharp spurs on its wings, and feet which are only partially webbed.
The Horned Screamer lives in well-vegetated marshes and feeds on water plants. Its nest is a large pile of floating vegetation anchored in shallow water. Three olive-brown eggs are laid, and the young, like those of most
Anseriformes , can run as soon as they are hatched.The Horned Screamer's call, as its name suggests, is a very loud "U-WHO" or honking "YOIK-YOK".
The "Anhima cornuta" is the official bird of the Department of Arauca and the Municipality of Arauca, which are located in
Colombia . The Department and its capital are named after the bird, which is called Arauco in theSpanish language .Heraldry
The bird appears in the arms of Tietê, Brazil. [http://www.camaratiete.sp.gov.br/default.asp?c=2&s=2]
References
Bibliography
* "Birds of Venezuela" by Hilty, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
External links
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=400 Horned Screamer at International Bird Collection.]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.