Trumpeter is the name of three related ground-dwelling birds from the tropical forests of South America. These three species are the common trumpeter, the green-winged trumpeter, and the pale-winged trumpeter. All grow about 20 inches (50 centimeters) long. They have a humped back, short tail, relatively long neck, and small head. Soft black plumage covers most of the body, but feathers of other colors occur on parts of the wings, neck, and back.
Trumpeters are sociable birds that travel in flocks across the forest floor. They do not fly well, but they can run quickly in a zigzag pattern. The birds commonly feed on insects and fruits. When disturbed, they utter loud, trumpetlike calls, which give them their name. During mating season, trumpeters perform elaborate mating dances that include leaping. Their dances resemble those of cranes, to which trumpeters are related. Female trumpeters lay around seven eggs.
