Hoatzin
Image: Matthew Weiss (cc-by-nc)
NameHoatzin
Common NameHoatzin
Scientific NameOpisthocomus hoazin
FamilyOpisthocomidae
Wingspan (cm)67.5
Length (cm)62.5
Weight (g)750
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is predominantly dull brown on the back and wings, with prominent white streaking on the wing coverts and upperparts. Its underparts are rufous, and it has a long, dark tail tipped with a broad buffy-white band. The head features a shaggy, rufous crest and an unfeathered, bright blue face with striking red eyes.
Vocalization / CallHoatzins produce a variety of harsh, guttural calls, including grunts, hisses, and croaks. Their vocalizations are often described as sounding like a 'wheezing pig' or 'hoarse chicken', used for alarm and communication within their social groups.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatstropical rainforest, swamp, mangrove, wetland, riparian forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, inhabiting countries such as Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
Identifying Featureslarge spiky rufous crest, unfeathered blue face, red eyes, long rufous tail with buffy tip, musky odor, claws on wings (chicks only)
Description
The Hoatzin is a unique, pheasant-sized tropical bird known for its distinctive spiky crest and unfeathered blue face. It is primarily a folivore, digesting leaves through bacterial fermentation in its enlarged crop, which gives it a musky odor.
