Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Northern Screamer

Chauna chavaria

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.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Northern Screamers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Screamers

A photo of a Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata)

Southern Screamer

Chauna torquata
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.