Red-legged Seriema
A species of Seriema Scientific name : Cariama cristata Genus : Seriema
Red-legged Seriema, A species of Seriema
Botanical name: Cariama cristata
Genus: Seriema
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Milermachado , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The red-legged seriema is around 75 to 90 centimetres (30 to 35 in) long and weighs about 1.5 to 2.2 kilograms (3.3 to 4.9 lb), with long legs, necks, and tails. It has a greyish-brown plumage, finely barred and vermiculated with dark brown and black; pale brown on the head, neck, and breast; white on belly. The long, broad outer tail has a subterminal black band and a white tip. It has a reddish beak and very long, salmon-coloured legs. The eyes are yellow. Soft feathers emerge from the base of the bill to form a distinctive fan-shaped crest. Many other characteristics are shared with the black-legged seriema (Chunga burmeisteri), the only other living member of its family. Some of these traits are discussed in the Cariamidae article. 
Size
90 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Bronze
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
20-25 years
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Red-legged Seriema's omnivorous diet includes arthropods, small vertebrates, crops, and wild fruits. Red-legged Seriema forages alone or in pairs, using its beak and claws to beat prey before consumption. Unique feeding behaviors feature dismembering prey against the ground.
Habitat
The red-legged Seriema is commonly found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats, which predominantly include grasslands such as the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Chaco regions. They are known to occupy areas up to 6,600 feet (2,000 m) and show preference for semi-arid woodlands, savannas, ranchlands, and hilly grasslands that are near wooded sections. These birds also frequent thorny scrublands and meadows adjacent to rivers, but they tend to avoid wetlands and agricultural fields. Their geographical distribution spans broad regions of Central and Eastern South America.
Dite type
Omnivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
Seriemas are wary, territorial, and diurnal birds. Generally, the red-legged seriema is sedentary, although there are reports of temperature-related migrations. It is typically seen singly or in pairs, but occasionally in groups of up to four individuals, apparently families. It usually walks on the ground and can easily run faster than a human in its habitat. It will flee a car on foot at speeds up to 25 km/h (15 mph) before flying. Territorial defense may involve agonistic confrontation between individuals, initially characterized by full vocalization duets followed by short runs and flights towards intruders, alternated with claws and beak attacks. In one conflict between two birds, they jumped at each other feet-first, keeping their balance by flapping. This species typically nests on low trees or bushes, so that adults are able to reach the nest from the ground by short hops or flutters rather than by flying.
Distribution Area
The red-legged seriema inhabits most of central and eastern Brazil, Paraguay, eastern and southeastern Bolivia, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. It is found at elevations up to 6,600 feet (2,000 m). The red-legged seriema prefers grassland habitat to any other. Though it likes to inhabit lush meadows near rivers, it will not readily move into wetlands or crop fields. It frequents semi-open and fairly dry areas such as thorny scrub and semi-arid woodland regions, savannas and ranchlands, and also hilly grasslands near wooded areas. This species is very typical in Caatinga, Cerrado and Chaco.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Seriemas Family
Cariamidae Genus
Seriema Species
Red-legged Seriema 
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