Animalia Life

Chauna chavaria
TAXONOMY
Parra chavaria Linneaus, 1766, lakes near Rнo Sinъ, south of Cartagena, Colombia. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Black-necked screamer; French: Kamichi chavaria; German: Weisswangen-Tschaja; Spanish: Chajб Chicagьire.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Has a body length of 30–36 inches (76–91 cm). A large, stout body colored dark gray, with the throat and sides of head white. Has a crest of feathers on the top of its small head.
DISTRIBUTION
Occurs in tropical regions of northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.
HABITAT
Inhabits wetlands in lowland tropical forest, such as oxbow lakes, marshes, lagoons, and swamps. It occurs as high as about 650 ft (200 m).
BEHAVIOR
Has a loud, bugled call. Outside of the breeding season it occurs in loose groups.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on aquatic vegetation.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Builds a nest of plant materials, floating but anchored among marsh vegetation. It lays two to seven yellowish-white eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The down-covered young leave the nest almost immediately after hatching and are cared for by both parents.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened. This species has declined greatly in range and abundance, and further deterioration of its circumstances would render it Threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Hunted as a source of wild meat and sometimes kept in captivity.

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