Seriamas
Seriamas
Cariamidae
The Roadrunners of South America: Seriemas (Cariamidae) are fascinating, long-legged birds found in the grasslands and open forests of South America. Often compared to roadrunners, these agile hunters prefer running to flying, using their speed to chase down prey. There are two species: the Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata), found in Brazil and surrounding countries, and the Black-legged Seriema (Chunga burmeisteri), which inhabits drier regions. Both are skilled predators, feeding on insects, small mammals, reptiles, and even snakes. Like Secretarybirds, they kill their prey by grabbing it in their beak and slamming it against the ground. Seriemas have a distinctive, yelping call that carries over long distances, often described as a mix between a hawk’s scream and a dog’s bark. Though they can fly short distances, they rely on their powerful legs to escape danger, reaching speeds of up to 25 km/h (15 mph). Despite habitat loss in some areas, seriemas have adapted well to farmland and remain common in much of their range. With their quirky behavior and prehistoric appearance, they are one of South America’s most unusual and charismatic birds.