Screamers
Screamers
Anhimidae
The Loud Guardians of South America’s Wetlands: Screamers (Anhimidae) are strange, turkey-sized birds found in South America’s wetlands and grasslands. Despite their goose-like appearance, they are more closely related to ducks but have unique features that set them apart—most notably, their loud, far-carrying calls that give them their name. There are three species: the Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata), the Northern Screamer (Chauna chavaria), and the Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta), which sports a bizarre, horn-like projection on its head. Unlike most waterbirds, screamers have partially webbed feet, making them excellent walkers in marshy terrain. Their most surprising feature is their hidden "spurs"—sharp, bony projections on their wings used in territorial fights. Despite their fierce nature, they form strong pair bonds and are devoted parents, fiercely defending their nests. Though screamers are not currently endangered, habitat destruction threatens their wetland homes. Conservation efforts aim to protect these unique birds, ensuring their eerie, trumpet-like calls continue to echo across South America's landscapes.