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Cariamidae - seriemas

SeriemaThere are two species in this family of birds, the red-legged seriema and the black-legged seriema. They are found in grasslands in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. They are a little over two feet tall and have a long neck; long legs; a long, squared tail and a small, curved bill. They also have a unique crest at the base of their bill and they have eyelashes! They are gray and brown on their uppersides and white on their bellies. They aren't very good fliers, but they are great runners and can run as fast as 35 miles per hour! They have an unusual call that sounds like a yelping puppy that can be heard for miles. They eat insects, birds, small mammals and reptiles. They eat small prey whole. They hold larger prey with their claws and rip it apart. They may also beat their prey on the ground or throw it onto a rock!


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