RED-LEGGED

SERIEMA
(Cariama cristata)
CARE MANUAL

CREATED BY
AZA RED-LEGGED SERIEMA
SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN®
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE
AZA GRUIFORMES
TAXON ADVISORY GROUP
 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

Red-Legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare
Committee

Formal Citation:
AZA Red-legged Seriema SSP (2013). Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual. Association
of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD.

Original Completion Date:

May 2013

Authors and Significant contributors:

Sara Hallager, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Dr Sharmie Johnson, DVM, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.

Reviewers:
The AZA Gruiformes Taxon Advisory Group Steering Committee
James Ballance, Zoo Atlanta
Celia Falzone, Ellen Trout Zoo
Jennifer Evans, Tracy Aviary
Jo Gregson, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, United Kingdom
Cathy King, Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany

AZA Staff Editors:

Maya Seaman, MS, Animal Care Manual Editor Consultant
Felicia Spector, MA, AZA ACM intern
Candice Dorsey, PhD, Director, Animal Conservation
Debborah Colbert, PhD, Vice President, Animal Conservation & Science

Cover Photo Credits:

Josh Caraballo

Disclaimer:
This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the
current science, practice, and technology of animal management. The manual assembles basic
requirements, best practices, and animal care recommendations to maximize capacity for excellence in
animal care and welfare. The manual should be considered a work in progress, since practices continue
to evolve through advances in scientific knowledge. The use of information within this manual should be
in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning the care of animals. While
some government laws and regulations may be referenced in this manual, these are not all-inclusive nor
is this manual intended to serve as an evaluation tool for those agencies. The recommendations included
are not meant to be exclusive management approaches, diets, medical treatments, or procedures, and
may require adaptation to meet the specific needs of individual animals and particular circumstances in
each institution. Commercial entities and media identified are not necessarily endorsed by AZA. The
statements presented throughout the body of the manual do not represent AZA standards of care unless
specifically identified as such in clearly marked sidebar boxes.

Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2

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Manual%available%at%the%%
Association%of%Zoos%and%Aquariums%
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manuals/%
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Further%information%about%diets%and%
the%nutrition%of%this%and%other%species%
can%be%found%at%the%%
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AZA’s%Nutrition%Advisory%Group%
(NAG)’s%website:%
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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

Chapter 5. Nutrition
5.1 Nutritional Requirements
A formal nutrition program is recommended to meet the nutritional
and behavioral needs of all red-legged seriemas (AZA AZA Accreditation Standard
Accreditation Standard 2.6.2). Diets should be developed using (2.6.2) A formal nutrition program is
the recommendations of nutritionists, the Nutrition Scientific recommended to meet the behavioral and
Advisory Group (NAG) feeding guidelines: nutritional needs of all species and
specimens within the collection.
(http://www.nagonline.net/Feeding%20Guidelines/feeding_guid
elines.htm), and veterinarians as well as AZA Taxon Advisory
®
Groups (TAGs), and Species Survival Plan (SSP) Programs. Diet formulation criteria should address the
animal’s nutritional needs, feeding ecology, as well as individual and natural histories to ensure that
species-specific feeding patterns and behaviors are stimulated.
From the limited data available, it appears that although seriemas are omnivorous, their dietary habits
may be primarily insectivorous/carnivorous, as hypothesized by Redford and Peters (1986). The
gastrointestinal tract of the seriema was noted to have a large gizzard, but no visible crop (Boyle, 1917).
This type of gastrointestinal tract is seen with insectivores, herbivores, and omnivores. Carnivores tend to
have a more developed proventriculus and thin-walled, weak gizzard (Klasing, 1998). With this in mind,
seriemas may be best adapted for an omnivorous/insectivorous feeding strategy. Suggested target
nutrient levels are presented in Table 5. These concentrations are based on those for poultry, dogs, and
cats, which are similar to the seriema’s omnivorous/insectivorous eating habits. Recommended diet
proportions are listed in Table 6.
Table 5. Proposed nutrient guidelines for seriemas on a dry matter basis. *
Nutrient Proposed Nutrient Guidelines 2008
Protein, % 16.5–30.0**
Fat, % 10-30***
Crude Fiber, % -
Calcium, % 0.66–2.0**
Phosphorus, % 0.33–1.0**
Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio 1:1–2:1
Potassium, % 0.44–0.72
Sodium, % 0.13–0.18
Magnesium, % 0.04–0.06
Copper, mg/kg 5.5–12.4
Iron, mg/kg 55–80
Zinc, mg/kg 55–96
Manganese, mg/kg 66–72
Selenium, mg/kg 0.2–0.4
Iodine, mg/kg 0.33–0.44
Vitamin A, IU/kg 170–7500
Vitamin D3, IU/kg 22–550
Vitamin E, IU/kg 11.0–38
Thiamin, mg/kg 2.2–5.6
Riboflavin, mg/kg 2.75–10.5
Pyridoxine, mg/kg 3.3–5.0
Vitamin B12, mg/kg 0.003–0.035
Biotin, mg/kg 0.11–0.25
Choline, mg/kg 990–2250
Folacin, mg/kg 0.8–1.1
Niacin, mg/kg 15–42.5
Pantothenic Acid, mg/kg 10.5–17.6
* Target values based on NRC for poultry, 1994 and NRC dogs and cats, 2006
** Values at high end of range for breeding only.
*** This is not a requirement for fat, but represents the range of fat in prey items and zoo diet items commonly fed. This range is
thought to be appropriate, will supply essential fatty acids and will promote fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

Table 6. Seriema recommended diet proportion guidelines (as fed basis)

Item Minimum, % of Diet Maximum, % of Diet
Vertebrate Prey 0 25
Invertebrate Prey* 10 30
Nutritionally Complete Feeds** 40 75
Produce (greens, vegetables) 5 20
*Insects should be gut loaded or supplemented with a high calcium diet prior to feeding to compensate for the inverse Ca:P ratio in
insects. To help explain further gut-loading please refer to Coslik et. al., 2009 and Latney et.al., 2009.
** Nutritionally complete feeds are those designed to meet specific recommended nutrient levels. These may be dry feeds, meat-
based diets or a combination thereof.

Most adult red-legged seriemas average between 2.5–3 kg (5.5–6.6 lb), with females weighing less
than males. Weights of juvenile birds have not been reported. Quantifiable data is not available on energy
requirements/feeding based on body size.
No life stage research is available for this species (see Chapter 10.2); however, offering diets that
meet the target nutrient range should meet nutritional needs through all life stages. Feeding diets with a
nutrient composition at the upper end of the range should meet the needs of growing and reproductive
birds. It is important to consider the nutrients provided by the overall diet as consumed. The analysis of
many “maintenance” diets may already meet or exceed the target nutrients for growth and reproduction.
Consequently, as long as appropriate foods and sufficient quantity to support growth and reproduction are
available, diets may not need to be altered in composition for life stages. More research can be done on
the target serum and nutrient values seriemas by collecting blood samples from clinically “normal”
seriemas (see Chapter 10.2).
In the wild, parents were observed selecting small reptiles to feed to their chicks (Redford & Peters,
1986). If chicks consume a diet that meets the target ranges expressed in Table 5, no changes are
needed. However, adjustments may be needed to the size of items offered to allow the parents to select
appropriate size items for the chicks. Some institutions crush bones and remove pelts of vertebrate prey
to reduce the possibility of impaction. All insects should be gut-loaded and/or supplemented with a high
calcium diet to provide appropriate calcium levels in these food items.
Seriemas swallow small prey items whole and head first. Larger animals are held between their sharp
claws, and torn apart. In the wild, killing their prey may involve beating the animal on the ground, or
throwing it against a hard surface such as a rock. Seriemas in zoos will often kill a live rodent by beating it
against the ground, but will not do this with dead prey items. Provided that the current diet is meeting
target nutrient levels, dietary changes for breeding birds is not necessary (see Table 5). Excess calcium
can be toxic with the effect of reducing the absorption of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and zinc.
Some institutions begin supplementation to bring the calcium levels up to 2% after the third clutch of eggs
has been laid to prevent depletion of the hen’s calcium stores. The calcium:phosphorus ratio should be
1:1 to 2:1 for the best tolerance of high calcium levels (Klasing, 1998).
Seasonal weight changes have not been reported for red-legged seriemas, as they have in some
other Gruiformes. Diet composition and amounts can be fairly consistent throughout the year, although
food consumption may increase during the colder months due to increased caloric needs. While
nutritional requirements for seriemas do not change seasonally, in northern latitudes, where temperatures
regularly fall below 0 °C (32 °F), birds should be offered more food during colder months. Such increases
may be based on observed increased food consumption. Seriema activity level remains fairly stable year
round, and food amounts are likely to remain stable throughout the year as well. Seasonal changes will
influence food changes more than other factors. As long as a diet
meeting target nutrient levels is consumed, no alterations should AZA Accreditation Standard
be necessary.
(2.6.3) Animal diets must be of a quality
Decreased food consumption and listlessness is a main sign and quantity suitable for each animal’s
of stress in seriemas. Decreased food consumption should be nutritional and psychological needs. Diet
monitored very closely, as it may not only be caused by stressors, formulations and records of analysis of
appropriate feed items should be
but also by impaction or illness. If a bird does not eat after 2 days,
maintained and may be examined by the
a veterinarian should be notified. Encouraging birds to eat with Visiting Committee. Animal food,
favorite food items, or food items not normally part of the diet, especially seafood products, should be
may be needed after consultation with veterinarians. Birds that purchased from reliable sources that are
sustainable and/or well managed.
are not provided with appropriate levels of nutrients may show
poor feather conditions, low weights, and lack of reproductive
activity.

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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

5.2 Diets
The formulation, preparation, and delivery of all diets must be of a quality and quantity suitable to
meet the animal’s psychological and behavioral needs (AZA Accreditation Standard 2.6.3). Food should
be purchased from reliable, sustainable, and well-managed sources. The nutritional analysis of the food
should be regularly tested and recorded.
Tables 7 and 8 list sample maintenance diets and selected nutrient composition of these diets. The
sample diets meet or exceed the proposed target nutrient levels for the nutrient selected. More
investigation is needed to acquire complete nutrient data for all ingredients as well as diets for different
life stages.
Table 7. Sample daily diet compositions and amounts provided to a single, adult seriema by AZA institutions
Institution Diet item Amount
A AM: Nebraska Feline diet 75 g
AM: Hopper mice 2
AM: Adult crickets 10
PM: Nebraska Feline diet 75 g
PM: Hopper mouse 1
PM: Adult crickets 10
B Natural Balance Carnivore 150 g
Zeigler Bird of Paradise pellet 160 g
Mazuri Exotic Gamebird Maintenance 160 g
Fuzzy mice 10
Mealworms 3g
C Nebraska Bird of Prey diet 0.62 g
Diamond Adult dog kibble, soaked 0.16 g
Fruits and vegetables 108.86 g
Mazuri Exotic Gamebird Maintenance 90.72 g
Weds/Fri: Mice or small rats 2
D Shur-gain Plus weight dog kibble, soaked 30 g
Millken meat feline diet 75 g
Mazuri softbill diet M512 15 g
Sun/Tues/Thurs: Hard boiled egg ½
Mon: Crickets 4
Weds/Sat: Mealworms 4

Table 8. Nutrient composition of sample diets compared to proposed target nutrient levels
Nutrient Target nutrient levels Zoo A Zoo B Zoo C Zoo D
Protein, % 16.5–30.0 51.04 21.92 30.5 40.7
Fat, % 10-30 31.3 8.10 13 13.5
Vitamin A, IU/kg 170–7500 6900 16530 12600 11000
Vitamin D3, IU/kg 22–550 910 ~5580 2200 500
Vitamin E, IU/kg 11.0–38 77 106 87 173
Calcium, % 0.66–2.0 1.16 2.34 1.01 1.11
Phosphorus, % 0.33–1.0 1 1.09 0.44 0.85

The potential for spoilage is based on the type/number of micro-organisms present on the meat, in
the storage and preparation areas, or transferred by the handler or by “pest” species with access to the
seriema enclosures (Frazier & Westhoff, 1988). Meat and whole prey items should be held at appropriate
temperatures during periods of thawing, preparation, and storage, and meat items should not remain at
temperatures capable of promoting excessive microbial growth for excessive periods of time once fed to
the animals (Crissey et al., 2001). Uneaten meat should be disposed of according to local or state
requirements.
Feeding schedules: In zoos, seriemas should be fed twice per day, but additional feedings should be
considered to allow for necessary husbandry management and to promote behavioral opportunities for
foraging and feeding throughout the day. As long as birds have adequate time to consume the diet, the
period of access to diet can range from several hours to all day. Minimizing the presence of pest species,
and their consumption of the diet, may shorten the periods of time when the diet is offered to the birds,

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unless pest-proof feeders are provided. The presence of pests should always be considered when
determining the period of time the seriemas have access to the diet.
Species-appropriate feeding and foraging: Seriemas are curious, intelligent animals. Table 9 lists a
range of food items that can promote foraging behavior. Most of the items can be scattered around
enclosures to encourage foraging/searching and object manipulation behaviors. It is important to note that
different seriemas will respond differently to different items, and observations on preferred items that
promote species-appropriate behaviors should be recorded for each individual. Approval from area
veterinarians, managers, and nutritionists should be obtained if the following feeding approaches are
considered.

Table 9. List of enrichment initiatives to promote foraging behaviors (S. Hallager, personal communication)
Food Item Description
Live Insects Seriemas respond well to live insects, such as super worms, crickets, regular mealworms, and
waxworms. Birds that are off their food for various medical reasons will often start eating again
if live insects are offered.

Live prey If available, live mice are often relished by seriemas and promote natural feeding behaviors.
The birds are also good at capturing and consuming small snakes, lizards, toads, and small
birds that make their way into their pens.

Food preparation must be performed in accordance with all

AZA Accreditation Standard
relevant federal, state, or local regulations (AZA Accreditation
Standard 2.6.1). Meat processed on site must be processed (2.6.1) Animal food preparations must
following all USDA standards. The appropriate hazard analysis and meet all local, state/provincial, and federal
regulations.
critical control points (HACCP) food safety protocols for the diet
ingredients, diet preparation, and diet administration should be established for the taxa or species
specified. Diet preparation staff should remain current on food recalls, updates, and regulations per
USDA/FDA. Remove food within a maximum of 24 hours of being offered unless state or federal
regulations specify otherwise and dispose of per USDA guidelines.
If browse plants are used within the animal’s diet or for
enrichment, all plants must be identified and assessed for safety. AZA Accreditation Standard
The responsibility for approval of plants and oversight of the (2.6.4) The institution should assign at
program should be assigned to at least one qualified individual least one person to oversee appropriate
(AZA Accreditation Standard 2.6.4). The program should identify if browse material for the collection.
the plants have been treated with any chemicals or near any point sources of pollution and if the plants
are safe for the red-legged seriema. If animals have access to plants in and around their exhibits, there
should be a staff member responsible for ensuring that toxic plants are not available.
Seriemas are typically not browsers nor do they exhibit herbivorous behaviors. However, plant
material should be offered during the nesting season to aid in nest construction. This should consist of
small pencil diameter sized sticks and grass stems of species approved by the curator, nutritionist or
veterinarian.

5.3 Nutritional Evaluations

Health issues: One of the most common signs of stress in seriemas is decreased food consumption.
Decreased food consumption should be monitored very closely, as it may not only be caused by
environmental stressors, but also by impaction or illness. If a bird does not eat for more than 48 hours
days a veterinarian should be notified immediately. Encouraging birds to eat by providing favorite food
items—or food items not normally part of the diet—may be needed after consultation with area
veterinarians.
For hand-reared chicks, it is strongly recommended that individual food items be weighed when diets
are prepared, so that a more accurate determination of nutrient content can be made when assessing the
diet during the early growth period of the chicks (S. Hallager, personal communication).
Huchzermeyer (1998) provides a scale (1–10) for scoring body condition in ostrich and Bailey (2008)
provides descriptive text for assessing weight, hydration, cere, nares, beak, oropharynx, eyes, ears,

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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

pectoral muscle condition, neck, saccus oralis, body, coelomic space, vent, thoracic and pelvid limbs,
feathers, and skin in bustards. A grading system for overall body condition that takes into account the
entire body of the bird should be developed for seriemas to assist in proper husbandry (see Chapter
10.2).

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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

7.5 Assisted Rearing

Although eggs may successfully hatch, there are times when parents are not able to properly care for
their offspring, both in the wild and in ex situ populations. Fortunately, animal care staff in AZA-accredited
institutions are able to assist with the rearing of these offspring if necessary.
On the first day after being laid, eggs should be taken from the incubating parents for weighing
and measuring. During this procedure, the egg taken should be replaced with a dummy egg
warmed to 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). Once the egg assessment has been completed, the egg should be
returned to the pair and the dummy egg removed. Note that some pairs of seriemas may not
tolerate this interference and pairs often immediately reject dummy eggs. The keepers’
knowledge of the pairs incubation behavior including any past egg tossing behaviors should
determine if the eggs are checked on day 1, or delayed until day 7 or not even checked at all.
On day 7, the egg(s) (or first egg laid if there are two) should be removed for the remainder of the
incubation period, and replaced with a warmed dummy egg. The removed egg should be re-
weighed and candled, and placed in an artificial incubator (e.g., Grumbach) at 37.2 °C (99.0 °F)
and 55–65% relative humidity.
The target weight loss for seriema eggs is 12–13%, and the humidity in the incubator should be
adjusted to result in this weight loss. Eggs should be turned every two hours. Humidity should be
increased to 70–80% once candling shows that the air cell within the egg begins to drop down or
at internal pip.
At internal pip, the egg should be placed back under the pair for hatching. Assistance with
hatching is not recommended for at least 24 hours after external pipping. Once hatched, the chick
should be left to imprint on the parents for the first 24 hours, where this is possible. After this time,
the chick can be removed briefly so that it can be examined, weighed, and yolk-sac absorption
confirmed, before being returned. A betadine solution should be applied to the umbilici of chicks
when they are first handled.
Artificial incubation: The following table (Table 10) provides a summary of the artificial incubation
protocols for seriema eggs used at an AZA-accredited institution. While the incubator used at this facility
has been successful, other models may be appropriate as well.
Table 10. Artificial incubation protocol for red-legged seriema eggs. (J. Barkowski, personal communication)
Incubator Grumbach incubator
Temperature 37.2 °C (99.0 °F)
Relative humidity 64.5%
Egg turning Every 2 hours
Egg cleaning No
Egg weight loss 12.8–13.6%
Moved to hatchery External pip
When seriema eggs are artificially incubated, an average weight loss of 12–13% should be expected.
If artificial incubation is performed, delayed incubation of seriema eggs is generally not recommended.
Delayed incubation of Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) eggs (a species related to seriemas),
where the eggs were stored for a period of time before being transferred to incubators, resulted in a 19%
lower hatchability rate, with higher mortality recorded between 3–5 days of development (Jalme & Van
Heezik, 1996). Seriema eggs should be placed in an incubator as soon as they are discovered.
If artificially incubated seriema chicks do not hatch within established pipping intervals, or seem to be
weak, then it is possible to perform radiography, endoscopy, and ovotomy to determine the status of the
embryo. Assisted hatching techniques can be successful, but survival of chicks is lower if they are used
(see Bailey & Anderson, 2000 for details on this process in bustard eggs).
Hand-rearing: Hand-rearing should be considered, and is strongly recommended, for any situation where
seriema enclosures are not predator-proof. Seriema chicks are vulnerable to predation by bird and
mammal species that commonly occur in and around zoos in the United States. Hand-rearing should also
be considered when parents do not show normal chick rearing behaviors (e.g., feeding and brooding the
chicks). Hand-reared seriemas have become viable breeding birds.

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Hand-rearing protocol: Hatching occurs on the 27th or 28th day of incubation. After hatching, the chick’s
umbilicus should be cleaned with Betadine (100%) solution, and the chick should be weighed. If the chick
is clinically dehydrated or has had difficulty hatching, 2cc of half-strength Lactated Ringer’s and 2.5%
dextrose solution should be provided subcutaneously. After the initial assessment, the chick should be
allowed to rest for several hours in the hatcher, before being moved to a brooder. Brooders that are 69.9
cm x 33 cm x 35.5 cm (27.5 in. x 13 in. x 14 in.) deep and that are kept at 36.1 °C (97 °F) have been
successfully used to hand-rear chicks. The floor of the brooder should be carpeted, and a feather duster
hung in one corner to simulate the parent. A small mirror affixed in the brooder can also act as a visual
stimulus for the chick. Raising hand-reared chicks with a sibling reduces the likelihood of imprinting.
Chicks housed alone may benefit from a mirror, which acts as a calming agent, and serves to reduce
the degree of imprinting that occurs. Typically, chicks reared alone have the highest degree of imprinting
on their caretakers (e.g., approaching animal caretakers, readily accepting food from them) and for birds
destined for show, this will be a desirable trait. Placing the chicks in visual contact with adult seriemas
may also reduce human imprinting to some degree. However, this may negatively influence the behavior
of the breeding pair, and should only be attempted at the end of the breeding season.
Cross-fostering and shared-rearing techniques have not been used with seriemas in zoos in the
United States, but further investigation into these approaches might be useful to determine if they are
applicable to this species. For cross-fostering to be successful, the timing needs to be appropriate for the
animals involved.
As hand-reared seriema chicks grow, they should be exercised following each feeding session and as
often as possible throughout the day. This will minimize musculoskeletal health problems such as slipped
tendons. Access to larger, more complex enclosures should be provided as the chicks continue to
develop. Containment for hand-reared chicks should follow recommendations made in Chapter 2, section
2.2. To minimize injuries, chicks should not be housed in enclosures with barriers and obstacles that the
birds can impact or trip over. Whenever hand-reared chicks are introduced to a new enclosure, a familiar
keeper should acquaint them to the new space immediately after releasing them by walking around with
the birds and showing them the resources available within the enclosure (e.g., plants, fences, walls,
dishes, etc.) (S. Hallager, personal communication). Complete day-to-day hand-rearing protocols for
seriema chicks are summarized in Appendix G.

7.6 Contraception
Many animals cared for in AZA-accredited institutions breed so successfully that contraception
techniques are implemented to ensure that the population remains at a healthy size.
When breeding is not recommended, eggs should be pulled as soon as they are laid, discarded, and
replaced with dummy eggs. The pair should be allowed to sit on the nest until they desert it. Eggs that are
pulled should always be replaced with dummies in order to stop the female from laying excessive eggs,
and becoming calcium depleted. Seriemas are notorious for ejecting their eggs from nests. Dummy eggs
constructed from wood or plaster that are successful under most other species, are often rejected by
seriemas and kicked out of the nest. The best substitute is to blow out a real egg (if available), and fill it
with sand or kitty litter, sealing the hole with plaster of Paris.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that the neural tube of avian embryos
has developed sufficiently for pain perception by 50% gestation, and so any bird embryos that have
reached this stage or beyond should be euthanized using methods appropriate for hatched birds (AVMA,
2013). Since incubation is 27–28 days in seriemas, if the eggs are to be terminated, incubation should
cease by day 13—preferably sooner.

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Personal Communications
Joe Barkowski, Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum, 2010
Sherry Branch, SeaWorld Orlando, 2011
Sara Hallager, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 2012
Sharmie Johnson, Wildlife World Zoo, 2011
Karen Povey, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, 2007
Dan Pearson, Toronto Zoo, 2009
Mike Macek, St. Louis Zoo, 2010

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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

Appendix G: Handrearing Protocol

Recommended hand-rearing protocol for seriemas (S. Hallager, personal communication)
Day Diet Enclosure Miscellaneous
1–10 Day 1–5: Feed 5x/day Brooder temperature should Weight gains should be
be 34.4–35 °C (94–95 °F), and consistent after day 5. Daily
First feeding should be offered at
can be lowered to 33.3 °C (92 weight gains of 10–15% are
12–18 hours post hatch. Healthy
°F) on day 3. optimal.
chicks should attempt to grab
offered food items (e.g., pinkies Recommended dimensions for
[halved or thirds], soaked dog the brooder are 69.85 cm x 33
chow, vionate, vitamin supplement, cm x 35.5 cm (27.5 in. x 13 in.
and calcium carbonate. Add cricket x 14 in.).
abdomens on day 2. If chicks are
Floor should be carpeted and
not attempting to eat, it may be a
a feather duster hung in a
sign they are dehydrated. To
corner to simulate the mother.
ensure proper hydration, water
Single chicks should be given
should be given via a syringe (no
a mirror. A towel formed in the
needle) at every feeding, and all
shape of a nest will help the
food should be dipped in water prior
chick feel secure when placed
to feeding.
in it.
Day 6–10: Feed 4x/day
Day 7: Add bird of prey diet.

Day 10: Add one-week-old mice

w/o heads.
(Night feedings are not necessary
unless chicks are not growing
properly. Chick weights should be
recorded before the first feeding of
each day from day 1–30.)

11–29 Day 11–16: Feed 4x/day A carpeted nursery area Chicks should continue to be
should be provided: 0.5 m x 1 encouraged to move about
Day 12: Add whole two week old
m (19.5 in. x 39 in.). throughout the day. If
mice cut in half.
outdoor temperatures are 24
Area should contain a
°C (75 °F), chicks may be
Day 17–22: Feed 3x/day small/medium towel lined bowl
taken outside for exercise if
or artificial nest.
they have started to walk.
Day 23–25: Feed 2x/day
Three heat bulbs should be Once chicks have been given
Leave food in overnight suspended from the ceiling so access to outside yards, they
that 3 separate sections of the should be carefully monitored
Day 26: Decrease hand-feeding, floor are kept at 35 °C (95 °F). for the ingestion of foreign
but birds start eating on own. material that could result in
Several feather dusters should impaction. At week 3–12
be suspended near the heat chicks should be moved into
(Ensuring that chicks continue to
bulbs. a wire cage with newspaper
defecate normally is important.)
Single chicks can be given a substrate and straw nest.
mirror. Heat lamp added for warmth.

31+ Chicks should be on the adult diet Chicks should be moved

after 31 days. outside to a covered yard
measuring 5 m x 15 m
(16 ft x 49 ft), and the pen set-
up should be similar to that of
an adult. They should be
housed in a heated shed at
night.

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 Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Care Manual

Growth rates of four chicks: Days 1–30 (M. Macek, personal communication)
Day Bird A Bird B Bird C Bird D
Weight Weight Weight Weight
g (oz) g (oz) g (oz) g (oz)
Day 1 63 (2.2) 60 (2.1) 54 (1.9) 60 (2.1)
Day 2 62 (2.2) 64 (2.3) 55 (1.9) 63 (2.2)
Day 3 62 (2.2) 75 (2.6) 67 (2.4) 71 (2.5)
Day 4 75 (2.6) 86 (3.0) 80 (2.8) 86 (3.0)
Day 5 82 (2.9) 95 (3.4) 102 (3.6) 101 (3.6)
Day 6 95 (3.4) 110 (3.9) 123 (4.3) 125 (4.4)
Day 7 122 (4.3) 126 (4.6) 153 (5.4) 151 (5.3)
Day 8 138 (4.9) 148 (5.2) 183 (6.5) 174 (6.1)
Day 9 162 (5.7) 168 (5.9) 206 (7.3) 208 (7.3)
Day 10 178 (6.3) 184 (6.5) 236 (8.3) 231 (8.1)
Day 11 221 (7.8) 205 (7.2) 270 (9.5) 264 (9.3)
Day 12 244 (8.6) 225 (7.9) 292 (10.3) 291 (10.3)
Day 13 278 (9.8) 231 (8.1) 310 (10.9) 313 (11.0)
Day 14 300 (10.6) 261 (9.2) 335 (11.8) 340 (12.0)
Day 15 333 (11.7) 294 (10.4) 370 (13.1) 366 (12.9)
Day 16 347 (12.2) 315 (11.1) 390 (13.8) 402 (14.2)
Day 17 368 (13.0) 340 (12.0) 414 (14.6) 439 (15.5)
Day 18 403 (14.2) 359 (12.7) 444 (15.7) 476 (16.8)
Day 19 432 (15.2) 376 (13.3) 471 (16.6) 493 (17.4)
Day 20 465 (16.4) 410 (14.5) 493 (17.4) 517 (18.2)
Day 21 489 (17.2) 465 (16.4) 542 (19.1) 538 (19.0)
Day 22 512 (18.1) 478 (16.9) 528 (18.6) 568 (20.0)
Day 23 536 (18.9) 504 (17.8) 568 (20.0) 566 (20.0)
Day 24 622 (21.9) 510 (18.0) 598 (21.0)
Day 25 638 (22.5) 548 (19.3)
Day 26 688 (24.3) 562 (19.8) 690 (24.3) 682 (24.1)
Day 27 712 (25.1) 602 (21.2)
Day 28 754 (26.6) 622 (21.9) 700 (24.7) 716 (25.3)
Day 29 784 (27.7) 660 (23.3)
Day 30 796 (28.0) 692 (24.4)

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