Trumpeter (bird)
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 Grey-winged Trumpeter, Psophia crepitans
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The trumpeters are a small family of birds restricted to the forests of the Amazon basin in South America. They are named for the trumpeting call of the males.
The three species are dumpy birds with long necks and legs, and chicken-like bills. The plumage is soft, and they are weak fliers. They are fast runners.
These are gregarious birds which nest on the ground, laying large clutches of white or greenish eggs. Their food consists of insects and fruit. In Venezuela and Brazil (where it is known as jacamim) they are often used as "guard dogs" because they are adept at killing poisonous snakes. The botanist Richard Spruce was so enchanted by them that he recommended England import them to India.
[edit] Species
- Grey-winged Trumpeter, Psophia crepitans
- Pale-winged Trumpeter, Psophia leucoptera
- Dark-winged Trumpeter, Psophia viridis
[edit] External links
- Trumpeter videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Gray-Winged Trumpeter at the National Aviary
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