CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Anseriformes
FAMILY: Anhimidae

SIZE:
Total length 35 inches; 4 - 6 lbs.

RANGE:
South America

HABITAT:
Swampy, pampas areas

DIET:
Wild - Entirely vegetarian
Zoo - Fresh fruits, scratch, crane chow, lettuce, corn

DESCRIPTION:

• Almost goose-sized birds of fowl-like appearance, with thick, long legs and feet without webs
• Twelve tail feathers

FACTS:

• Flocks circle above the water in their habitats calling melodiously
• Can glide well unlike swans, geese and ducks
• Make goose-like call, and a throaty sound resembling drumming
• Can swim well and will climb onto the leaves of floating plants from the shore
• Calmly walk about the shore or in shallow water
• Sharp spurs on the wings are sometimes used as weapons

YOUNG:
5 - 6 eggs producing precocial young with yellow down, resemble goslings

STATUS:
Not threatened; domesticated in parts of its range

REFERENCE:
"Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia," Vol. 7 Birds I, Dr. Bernhard Grzimek