Anhimidae - Screamers

There are three species in this family. They are found in South America in tropical and subtropical wetlands, grasslands, and flood plains. Screamers get their name for their extremely loud vocalizations that can be heard for up to two miles away.

Screamers are large birds, 2.5 to 3 feet in length, with a wingspan of 5.5 feet. They have a goose-like body and a chicken-like head. They have a short, hooked bill and long, thick legs with three front toes and one rear toe. The front toes are connected with a little bit of webbing. Screamers have two sharp, curved spurs on their wings and a crest of feathers on the top of their head. They use the spurs on their wings when they fight over territory and mates.

Screamers are herbivores and eat aquatic plant leaves, stems, flowers, and roots.

Both the male and the female screamer build the nest. The female usually lays around 4-5 eggs. Both the male and the female incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.

Species in this family include: the horned screamer, the northern screamer, and the southern screamer.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

U.S. Status Key Threatened in US Endangered in US Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.

New Hampshire Status Key Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Location Key Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image
Horned Screamer - Anhima cornuta Northern Screamer - Chauna chavaria		Southern Screamer - Chauna torquata

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

Horned Screamer - Anhima cornuta
The horned screamer is found throughout northern South America.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Horned Screamer - Anhima cornuta
Horned screamers have a yellowish-white horn-like projection at the top of their heads.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Northern Screamer - Chauna chavaria
Northern screamers have shaggy crests on their heads.
Source: BirdLife International Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Northern Screamer - Chauna chavaria
Northern screamers have a shaggy crest on their heads, a white chin strap, a black neck and a gray body.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Screamer - Chauna torquata
The southern screamer is a goose-like bird with a chicken-like head.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Screamer - Chauna torquata
The southern screamer is found from Bolivia and southern Brazil south to central Argentina.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Screamer - Chauna torquata
The southern screamer is also known as the crested screamer.
Source: Woodland Park Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School