Red-legged Seriema

The Crested Seriema is a bird that is about 70 cm tall, with long legs: it is therefore a good runner but a poor flyer, although it can fly for short distances.

Its plumage is a yellowish grey with a large crest of erect feathers at the base of its beak.

It is also one of the few birds to have eyelashes.

Living on the dry prairies in Eastern Brazil and the Argentinian Pampas, the Crested Seriema feeds on small rodents, insects and reptiles.

It roosts on low tree-branches, where it also nests, usually raising one chick per reproductive cycle.

Its call is astonishing: it resembles the plaintive yapping of a young dog.