Seriema

"The seriemas are the sole extant members of the small and ancient family Cariamidae, which is also the sole surviving family of the Cariamae. Once believed to be related to cranes, they have been placed by one recent study near the falcons, parrots and passerines." (Wikipedia) Although they are wild animals, they can often be seen in populated areas. They behave pretty much like secretary birds, eating snakes and lizards, so they are preserved by rural populations.

Funny lady (?).

Lovely eyes...

HI Peter, was this bird in a zoo? Because the closest can come to visual match is a seriema: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seriema

This doesn't look like a native North American bird to me, although I could be wrong. Where was it, how big was it, what was it doing, and what was its general shape? Something about it makes me think of a domesticated bird and not necessarily a wild species.

Cool! Unfortunately I don't know what kind of bird is.