Anhimidae

Anhimidae is a small family of waterfowl comprising three living species in two genera: Anhima and Chauna. The horned screamer, Anhima cornuta, is the sole member of Anhima, while the genus Chauna includes two species, the crested screamer (Chauna torquata) and the yellow-billed screamer (Chauna chavaria). In some classifications, Anhimidae is treated as a distinct family within the order Anseriformes; other taxonomic treatments place these birds within Anatidae as the subfamily Anhiminae.

They are native to tropical South America, occupying wetlands and riverine habitats. Anhima cornuta is found in the Amazon Basin and adjacent river systems, while Chauna species inhabit freshwater marshes, wetlands, and floodplains across parts of the northern and central South American countries and into the southern Guianas and Bolivia.

Morphology and ecology: They are large, heavy-bodied birds with long legs and relatively short wings. Anhima cornuta is distinctive for a horn-like casque on the top of its head; Chauna species have a crest rather than a horn. Plumage is generally grayish-brown with pale throats. Screamers are strong swimmers and typically inhabit dense vegetation at the water’s edge. They feed on aquatic vegetation, seeds, tubers, and occasional invertebrates. They are vocal birds, producing loud calls for pair bonding and territory defense. Nesting occurs on the ground near water; clutches are incubated by both parents and the young are precocial.

Conservation: No global widespread threats are recorded for the family, though local wetland loss, hunting, and disturbance can affect populations. They are not currently listed as globally endangered.