Chauna
| Chauna | |
|---|---|
| |
| Southern screamer (Chauna torquata) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anhimidae |
| Genus: | Chauna Illiger, 1811 |
| Species | |
|
Chauna chavaria | |
Chauna is a genus of birds in the screamer family. Its two members are found in wetlands of South America. The species are
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chauna torquata | Southern screamer or crested screamer | southeastern Peru, northern Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina |
 |
Chauna chavaria | Northern screamer or black-necked screamer | northern Colombia, in Chocó, Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar, Magdalena, Santander, and Cesar Departments and northwestern Venezuela, in Zulia, Mérida, and Trujillo States. |
They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and territorial disputes. The southern screamer is overall fairly common and sometimes considered a pest as it raids crops and competes with farm birds for food. In contrast, the northern screamer is relatively rare and therefore considered near threatened.
References
- Hilty, Steven L (2003). Birds of Venezuela. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5.