The screamers are three South American bird species placed in family Anhimidae. They were thought to be related to the Galliformes because of similar bills, but are more closely related to the family Anatidae, i.e. ducks and allies,

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! Image !! Genus !! Living species

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|120px||Anhima ||

  • horned screamer, (Anhima cornuta)

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|120px||Chauna ||

  • Southern screamer or crested screamer, Chauna torquata
  • Northern screamer or black-necked screamer, Chauna chavaria

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Distribution and habitat

The three species occur only in South America, ranging from Colombia to northern Argentina. The horned screamer was once present on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, but is now extirpated from there. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and territorial disputes;

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