Definition

Noun 1. A large, terrestrial, long-legged bird of prey native to South America: The "cariama cristata" is a distinctive bird, also commonly known as the red-legged seriema. It is characterized by its greyish plumage, long red legs, a pointed crest of feathers on its head, and a powerful beak. It is known for hunting on the ground, feeding on insects, small animals, and snakes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cariama cristata is often seen running through the grasslands of Brazil.
  • With its loud, yelping call, the cariama cristata is a vocal presence in its habitat.
  • Researchers studied the hunting behavior of the cariama cristata.

Advanced Usage

• As a taxonomic reference: The term is used in scientific and zoological contexts to refer specifically to this species, distinguishing it from its close relative, the black-legged seriema ().
  • The fossil record provides insights into the evolution of Cariama cristata.

Variants and Related Words

• Red-legged seriema: The most common English name for this bird.
• Crested seriema: Another name referencing the bird's distinctive head crest.
• Seriema: The general common name for birds in the family Cariamidae, which includes the .
• Cariamidae: The biological family to which this species belongs.

Synonyms

• Red-legged seriema
• Crested seriema

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Terrestrial bird: A bird that lives primarily on the ground.
• Bird of prey: A bird that hunts and feeds on other animals (though seriemas are not raptors like eagles or hawks, they share this ecological role).
• Cursorial: Adapted for running, which describes the 's locomotion.

Noun

1. Brazilian Cariama; sole representative of the genus Cariama