Southern Screamer
Chauna torquata
The Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata) is a uncommon screamer found in 8 countries, weighing about 4.4 kg. The southern screamer is a species of bird in family Anhimidae of the waterfowl order Anseriformes.
About the Southern Screamer
The southern screamer is a species of bird in family Anhimidae of the waterfowl order Anseriformes. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The southern screamer is one of the largest birds of southern South America at 83 to 90 cm (33 to 35 in) long and weighing about 4.4 kg (9.7 lb). Their flat wing measures 50 to 57 cm (20 to 22 in), their tail 22 to 26 cm (8.7 to 10.2 in), and their culmen 4.0 to 5.4 cm (1.6 to 2.1 in). They are stout bodied with a disproportionately small head and a "chicken-like" grayish brown bill. The sexes have the same plumage. Their head and upperparts are gray with a velvety black "collar" around the base of the neck. Their wings and tail are dusky and the wing has two sharp spurs at its manus. Voice: The southern screamer's "loud, unmelodious, double-noted trumpet call" has been further described as "a low, throaty, almost barking, brief oh-WOOOW which also sounds sometimes as be-SERK." Female's calls are somewhat weaker and higher pitched than males'. Screamers call both in flight and when perched, and the call can be heard for up to 3 km (2 mi). away.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Chile, United States.
When to see it
The Southern Screamer can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Southern Screamer?
- The southern screamer is one of the largest birds of southern South America at 83 to 90 cm (33 to 35 in) long and weighing about 4.4 kg (9.7 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Southern Screamer?
- The Southern Screamer is a huge sized bird weighing about 4.4 kg.
- Where can you see a Southern Screamer?
- The Southern Screamer occurs in 8 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay.
- What birds look similar to a Southern Screamer?
- The Southern Screamer is most easily confused with the Northern Screamer.
- Is the Southern Screamer endangered?
- The Southern Screamer is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Southern Screamer for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.