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Red-legged Seriema
Cariama cristata
Standing nearly three feet tall on bright red legs, the Red-legged Seriema stalks grasslands and open woodlands of central South America. It dispatches snakes and lizards by smashing them against rocks — a hunting technique reminiscent of its extinct terror bird relatives. Its loud, yelping calls are often the first sign of its presence.
Fun Fact
Seriemas kill snakes by picking them up and smashing them against rocks, much like Secretary Birds stomp.
Attributes
TypeRaptor
Habitatgrassland
SizeLarge
Dietmeat
FlightLimited
Colorsbrown, gray, red
MigratoryNo
ContinentsSouth America
Nest Typeplatform
ConservationLeast Concern
Difficulty: hard