The Tulsa Zoo is home to over one hundred bird species, including the Southern Screamer.

The Species

The bird is native to South America and closely related to swans and geese. The zoo has two Screamers, 28-year-old Sharon and 30-year-old Ozzy.

The Name

WildLife Trek Keeper Alayna Livingston said the species name is no coincidence.

"Like in their name, they do have a really long, loud trumpet call," she said. "That gives them the title of guard dog of their region because it can be heard for miles and alert any other animal of danger."

The Relationship

The keepers go into the Screamers enclosure to feed them.

"We feed them a variety of greens, lettuce, rainbow chard and fruit," said Livingston. They are able to do this because of the relationship they've built with the birds.

"Jus

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