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Psophiidae:
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. |
