Cariamiformes

 

Classification An order of primarily flightless birds that have been around for 63 million years.They have traditionally been considered as a suborder of the Gruiformes, but based on both morphological and genetic studies, they are now  treated as a bird order whose close relatives are the Falconiformes, Psittaciformes and Passeriformes.

There are two species, both restricted to southern-central South America. The red-legged, or crested, seriema, inhabits grasslands, but the nest is built in bushes or trees. The black-legged seriema, sometimes called gray seriema, which inhabits wooded areas, is darker and grayer, with a shorter crest and shorter legs. The seriema feeds on insects, snails, reptiles, and berries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cariamae

Hackett SJ et al (2008): Phylogenomic Study of Birds


seriema. (2011). Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.