Northern Screamer

The Northern Screamer, Chauna chavaria, presents a striking figure with its stout body, small head, and a grey bill. This bird, reaching lengths of 76 to 91 cm, is adorned with a grey crown featuring a long crest, a predominantly white face, and a distinctive wide black band encircling its neck. The plumage of both sexes is similar, showcasing a dark grey body, wings, and tail. Notably, the wing is equipped with two sharp spurs at the manus. Around the brown eyes, one can observe bare red skin, while the legs and feet are a reddish-orange hue. Juveniles resemble adults but have a more subdued appearance.

Identification Tips

To identify the Northern Screamer, look for the unique combination of a grey crown with a crest, a white face, and the black neck band. The sharp spurs on the wings are also a key feature. The bird's reddish-orange legs and feet, along with the bare red skin around the eyes, are additional distinguishing characteristics.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of wetland habitats, including swamps, marshes, lagoons, riverbanks, and seasonally flooded river plains, where water and vegetation are abundant.

Distribution

The Northern Screamer is native to northern Colombia, spanning from the Atrato and Magdalena River valleys, and extending eastward into the Lake Maracaibo region of Venezuela.

Behaviour

The Northern Screamer is generally sedentary, though it is suspected that non-breeders and juveniles may engage in local wandering. During the breeding season, they become territorial.

Song & Calls

The Northern Screamer is known for its loud and distinctive vocalizations. Its primary call is a high-pitched yelping sound, described as 'kleer-a-ruk, cherio', which resonates across its wetland habitats.

Breeding

Breeding pairs of Northern Screamers are territorial and construct a nest mound from plant material and debris. Breeding can occur at any time of year, with a peak in egg-laying during October and November. Clutch sizes typically range from three to five eggs, but can include up to seven. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs for 42 to 44 days and caring for the young. Fledging takes place between eight to ten weeks after hatching, with independence reached around 12 weeks.

Diet and Feeding

Northern Screamers are herbivorous, feeding primarily on the leaves, stems, and roots of aquatic plants. They often graze in a manner similar to geese and may be observed feeding in loose flocks.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Northern Screamer as Near Threatened, with a population estimated between 1,500 and 7,000 mature individuals that is believed to be in decline. The species faces threats from habitat destruction, egg collecting, hunting, pollution, and urbanization, despite occurring in several protected areas within Colombia.