Noganmodoki (English spelling) series

A general term for birds belonging to the family Cariamidae in the order Grui. This family Cariamidae consists of two species, the Crested Bustard (Cariama cristata) and the Black-legged Bustard (Chunga burmeisteri), the former of which is found from eastern Brazil to northern Argentina, and the latter from Paraguay to northern Argentina. Overall length is 76-91 cm. Both are about the size of a small crane and have long legs. Their feathers are gray-brown, lighter on the underside than on the back, and covered with fine insect-eaten patterns. The Crested Bustard's long legs are red, while the Black-legged Bustard's are black. They live in grasslands and plains with shrubs, walking on the ground and eating insects, small snakes and lizards, small mammals, seeds, leaves, etc. Although they can fly, they are better at running and land quickly after flying. They build their nests on top of shrubs and lay two or three eggs per clutch. Because of their loud cries, the natives capture and raise the chicks of these birds to watch over chickens, etc. They also hunt them for food.

[Hiroyuki Morioka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鳥綱ツル目ノガンモドキ科に属する鳥の総称。この科Cariamidaeは、カンムリノガンモドキCariama cristataとクロアシノガンモドキChunga burmeisteriの2種からなり、前者はブラジル東部からアルゼンチン北部まで、後者はパラグアイからアルゼンチン北部まで分布する。全長76～91センチメートル。どちらも小形のツルほどの大きさで、足が長い。羽色は灰褐色で、下面は背面より淡く、全体に細かい虫食い模様がある。長い足は、カンムリノガンモドキでは赤く、クロアシノガンモドキでは黒い。低木の生えた草原や平原にすみ、地上を歩きながら昆虫類、小形のヘビやトカゲ、小哺乳(ほにゅう)類、種子や葉などを食べる。飛ぶことはできるが、走るほうがうまく、飛んでもすぐ地上に降りる。巣は低木の上につくり、1腹2、3個の卵を産む。鳴き声が大きいので、原住民はこの鳥の雛(ひな)をとらえて飼い、ニワトリなどの番をさせる。また食用にするため、狩猟の対象とする。

［森岡弘之］

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