Hoatzin
Image: Martín Barbosa (cc-by-nc)
NameHoatzin
Common NameHoatzin
Scientific NameOpisthocomus hoazin
FamilyOpisthocomidae
Wingspan (cm)70
Length (cm)62
Weight (g)800
Plumage DetailsPlumage is largely drab olive-brown on the upperparts with pale buff underparts. It features a prominent, spiky rufous crest, bare blue facial skin, and striking red eyes.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are a variety of harsh, guttural sounds including croaks, hisses, grunts, and wheezes, often described as raucous and unmusical.
Primary Habitatsswamp, riparian forest, wetland, mangrove
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, primarily in countries like Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Bolivia.
Identifying FeaturesLarge shaggy crest, Bare blue facial skin, Red eyes, Long fan-shaped tail, Clawed chicks (unique among modern birds), Musky odor
Description
The Hoatzin is a unique, pheasant-sized tropical bird known for its folivorous diet and distinctive digestive system. Its chicks possess claws on their wings, a primitive trait that aids in climbing through vegetation.
