Northern Screamer
Species Data
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anhimidae
Scientific Name: Chauna chavaria
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Description
The Northern Screamer is a large (roughly 70-90cm tall) species of waterfowl found in northern Colombia and eastern Venezuela around Lago Maracaibo, it is named for its call – a single high-pitched scream-like noise. Adult individuals have dark grey plumage with black feathers on their neck and a white ring around their head.
Behaviour
The Northern Screamer is entirely herbivorous, mainly eating the plants growing on the edge of the wetlands that they inhabit.They build up large nests on the water’s edge and lay 2-7 eggs mostly in October and November, but breeding is not completely limited to a season.
Habitat
The Northern Screamer is found in lowland wetlands like marshes, swamps, lagoons, riverbanks and floodplains, where they can graze freely
Threats and Conservation
The IUCN has determined the Northern Screamer to be of Least Concern on the Red List due to there being a large and stable population (60,000-130,000 mature individuals) within its range. It did also note, however, that the Northern Screamer does face some threat from agricultural drainage and water pollution.
