seven; eggs are laid in October and November. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. The incubation period is 43 to 46 days; fledging occurs eight to ten weeks after hatch and the young are independent after about 12 weeks. Vocalization The southern screamer's "loud, unmelodious, double-noted trumpet call" has been further described as "a low, throaty, almost barking, brief oh-WOOOW which also sounds sometimes as be-SERK." Female's calls are somewhat weaker and higher pitched than males'. Screamers call both in flight and when perched, and the call can be heard of up to . Domestication Southern screamers are sometimes domesticated and are very good guard animals because of their loud, far carrying, call. Status The IUCN has assessed the southern screamer as being of Least Concern. It has a very large range, and though its population size is unknown it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified. Draining of wetlands and persecution by farmers are potential threats but "the species seems able to compensate fairly well". Gallery References Anhimidae Birds of South America Birds described in 1816