Order Cariamiformes | Red-Legged Seriemas | Cariamiformes Species

order cariamiformes

The order Cariamiformes contains both present-day and extinct species of birds. The first specimens of birds in this order date back to 63 million years ago.

Currently, under this bird order, there is only one family: Cariamidae which contains Seriemas only.Suggested Reading: All Types of Birds

Order Cariamiformes Characteristics

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There are only two living species of Cariamiformes at present that have some unique features:

Seriemas, the living representatives of cariamiformes, are terrestrial birds that live on the ground, and rarely fly.
These birds are large with long legs adapted for running. They can grow as high as one meter and weigh about 1.5 kg.
The heads of seriemas are similar to heads of hawks.
These birds also have long necks and long tails that assist in running and balance.
These birds are omnivorous, can feed on snakes, small mammals, insects, and plants.
Seriemas build nests on the ground and usually lay two eggs.
Both parents participate in building the nest and feeding the chicks.
The chicks of seriemas can follow their parents in 20 days after hatching.
Both species of seriemas are restricted to South America only.
Red-legged seriema usually lives in grasslands.
Black-legged seriema can live in trees.
Seriemas have a sickle claw on its middle toe that can help cut up the prey.
Seriemas peculiarly kill their prey: they drop it on the ground multiple times until it is killed and then eat it.
The extinct species that belong to this order, such as terror birds and Bathornis were large predators with sharp beaks and legs.
Terror birds are thought to be the apex predators in the Cenozoic era.
Seriemas can be tamed and are used as guard species by local farmers.

Cariamiformes Species

Here is the list of known living and extinct Cariamiformes species:

Red-legged seriema, Cariama cristata
Black-legged seriema, Chunga burmeisteri
Bathornis veredus
Terror birds, Titanis walleri
Angalgornis steuletti
Strigogyps sapea
Elaphrocnemus crex
Qianshanornis rapax

Cite This Page

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BioExplorer.net. (2024, November 28). Order Cariamiformes / Seriemas. Bio Explorer. https://www.bioexplorer.net/order-cariamiformes/.

BioExplorer.net. "Order Cariamiformes / Seriemas" Bio Explorer, 28 November 2024, https://www.bioexplorer.net/order-cariamiformes/.

BioExplorer.net. "Order Cariamiformes / Seriemas" Bio Explorer, November 28 2024. https://www.bioexplorer.net/order-cariamiformes/.

Key References

[1] – “Red Legged Seriema”. Accessed May 31, 2019. Link.

[2] – “Black-legged Seriema (Chunga burmeisteri) | HBW Alive”. Accessed May 31, 2019. Link.

[3] – “ITIS Standard Report Page: Cariamiformes”. Accessed May 31, 2019. Link.

3 COMMENTS

Birds – my new website ocean October 17, 2021 at 8:33 pm
[…] (Cariamiformes)Both present-day and extinct species of birds belong to this bird order – Cariamiformes such as Seriemas. These birds are terrestrial birds that live on the ground, and seldom fly. […]
Reply
bryan Christopher kirshon August 31, 2021 at 3:26 pm
I am a retired biologist I consider myself a birder I love raptors the most but these ancient seriema birds only proves my theory dinosaurs have more in common with birds than with reptiles I am an explorer I love observing wildlife and globetrotting.
Reply
- BioExplorer August 31, 2021 at 3:47 pm
  Thanks Bryan for stopping by.
  Reply

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