Screamer (Palamodea), a genus of birds of rather doubtful affinities, probably most nearly allied to the Anseres (ducks and geese). The bill is rather short, conical, curved at the extremity; there is a bare space around the eyes; the toes are long; each wing is furnished with two strong spurs.
There are three species, sometimes referred to two genera—Palamodea and Chauna. The Horned Screamer, or Kamichi (P. cornuta), inhabits swamps in Brazil and Guiana, and feeds on the leaves and seeds of aquatic plants. It is of a blackish-brown colour, nearly as large as a turkey, and has somewhat the appearance of a gallinaceous bird. It receives its name from its loud and harsh cry. From the head, a little behind the bill, there rises a long, slender, movable horn, for which no use has been conjectured. The spurs of the wings are supposed to be useful in defence against snakes and other enemies.—The Crested Screamer (Chauna or Palamodea chavaria) is a native of Brazil and Paraguay, the head of which has no horn, but is adorned with erectile feathers. The plumage is mostly lead-coloured and blackish. The wings are armed with spurs.
It is very capable of domestication, and is sometimes reared with flocks of geese and turkeys, to defend them from vultures, being a bold and powerful bird. Very closely allied to this is the Derbian Screamer (C. derbiana).