Hoatzin
NameHoatzin
Common NameHoatzin
Scientific NameOpisthocomus hoazin
FamilyOpisthocomidae
Wingspan (cm)67.5
Length (cm)62.5
Weight (g)800
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is predominantly dark brown on the upperparts with white streaking on the wings and back. The underparts are chestnut, transitioning to a pale buff on the breast and belly. It has a long rufous tail tipped with buff.
Vocalization / CallHoatzins are known for their noisy and raucous vocalizations, which include a variety of harsh, guttural calls such as croaks, hisses, grunts, and wheezing sounds.
Primary Habitatsswamps, riparian forests, mangroves, gallery forests
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America, ranging from Colombia and Venezuela south through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, and also in the Guianas.
Identifying Featuresspiky rufous crest, unfeathered blue face with red eyes, long rufous tail tipped with buff, chicks possess claws on their wings, strong musky odor
Description
The Hoatzin is a unique, pheasant-like bird known for its distinctive spiky crest, unfeathered blue face, and reddish eyes. It is an arboreal species found in the swamps and riparian forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, often perching conspicuously over water.
