Horned screamer

The horned screamer is a species of bird that belongs to a relatively small family, the Anhimidae, which occurs in wetlands of tropical South America. There are three screamer species, the other two being the southern screamer and the northern screamer in the genus Chauna. They are related to ducks, geese and swans, which are in the family Anatidae, but have bills looking more like those of game birds.

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Distribution

Region

Amazon and Orinoco Basins

Typical Environment

Found across lowland tropical South America, especially in the Amazon and Orinoco drainages from Colombia and Venezuela through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and much of Brazil, with occurrences in the Guianas. It inhabits freshwater wetlands, marshes, oxbow lakes, and seasonally flooded savannas. Birds frequent the margins of slow rivers, floating mats of vegetation, and rice fields, and may perch in nearby trees. It favors extensive, quiet wetlands with abundant emergent and floating plants.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size84–95 cm

Wing Span150–170 cm

Male Weight3.2 kg

Female Weight2.8 kg

Life Expectancy15 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The horned screamer is notable for the slender, horn-like keratin spike projecting from its forehead, a structure that continues to grow throughout life. It also bears sharp wing spurs used in display and defense. Related to ducks and geese, it has highly pneumatic bones and air sacs that aid buoyancy and give it a surprisingly light build for its size. Its carrying, trumpet-like calls can be heard over long distances in South American wetlands.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and wary

Flight Pattern

strong flier with slow, deep wingbeats; occasional soaring glider

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and may gather loosely in optimal feeding areas. Pairs maintain territories in suitable wetlands and often perch on trees or shrubs to watch for danger. Nests are large platforms of vegetation, often floating or anchored in dense marsh, with both parents participating in incubation and chick care.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are loud, far-carrying trumpet-like screams and honks delivered singly, in duets, or by small groups. Calls are rhythmic and resonant, often used for territory advertisement and pair bonding.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Horned sungem

The horned sungem is a species of hummingbird native to much of central Brazil and parts of Bolivia and Suriname. It prefers open habitats such as savanna and grassland and readily occupies human-created habitats such as gardens. It recently expanded its range into southern Amazonas and Espírito Santo, probably as a result of deforestation; few other hummingbird species have recently expanded their range. The horned sungem is a small hummingbird with a long tail and a comparatively short, black bill. The sexes differ markedly in appearance, with males sporting two feather tufts ("horns") above the eyes that are shiny red, golden, and green. Males also have a shiny blue head crest and a black throat with a pointed "beard". The female is plainer and has a brown or yellow-buff throat. The species is the only one within its genus, Heliactin.

Horsfield's bronze cuckoo

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Hose's broadbill

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