The northern screamer (Chauna chavaria) is a species of bird in family Anhimidae of the waterfowl order Anseriformes. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Taxonomy and systematics
The northern screamer shares genus Chauna with the southern screamer (C. torquata). One other species, the horned screamer (Anhima cornuta) is also in family Anhimidae. The northern screamer is monotypic.
Distribution and habitat
The northern screamer is found across northern Colombia from the Atrato River and Magdalena River valleys east into the Lake Maracaibo area of Venezuela. It inhabits a variety of wet landscapes including swamps, marshes, lagoons, riverbanks, and seasonally flooded river plains. A more recent IUCN Assessment reassigned the bird to a species of Least Concern, believing previously reported population sizes to be underestimates – estimated population is now reported as 60,000-130,000 mature individuals. It occurs in several protected areas in Colombia but even they have suffered from habitat destruction. The species is also affected by egg collecting and hunting for food, domestic and industrial pollution of its habitat, and urbanization.