This is one of those rare cases where I am pretty much struck speechless by the ugliness of an animal, so, just the facts, ma'am:
This is a four day old seriema at Westküstenpark St. Peter-Ording in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
The seriema is supposedly descended from huge, carnivorous, flightless birds that roamed South America 60 million years ago, hacking their prey into bloody chunks with their terrifying beaks. But this one will grow up to eat insects, small animals and even sometimes a side of veggies, so, no worries, except the nightmares you're going to have after seeing this photo.
Thanks (I think ) to The Local.
-Wombat (No Relation)
What an interesting blog. It would be scary to encounter this seriema in the garden but it sounds like it serves a purpose.
ReplyDeleteThe strongest testament yet to the power of maternal love; else-wise they'd be extinct.
ReplyDeleteThough it is possible that the fathers actually raise them after the mothers run screaming.
Awww-- it's cute, like something from the Jim Henson creature shop!
ReplyDelete