Hoatzin
NameHoatzin
Common NameHoatzin
Scientific NameOpisthocomus hoazin
FamilyOpisthocomidae
Wingspan (cm)68
Length (cm)62
Weight (g)750
Plumage DetailsDark reddish-brown upperparts, paler buffy underparts, and a long, broad rufous tail. It has a distinctive spiky, reddish-brown crest on its head, bare blue facial skin, and red eyes.
Vocalization / CallKnown for a variety of harsh, guttural calls, grunts, hisses, and croaks, often described as noisy and raucous. They communicate frequently within their social groups.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsswamps, mangroves, riparian forests, wetlands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, inhabiting tropical lowlands from Colombia and Venezuela south to Bolivia and central Brazil, and east through the Guianas.
Identifying Featuresspiky crest, bare blue facial skin, red eyes, long rufous tail, guttural calls, strong musky odor (stinkbird)
Description
The Hoatzin is a pheasant-sized, tropical bird known for its unique digestive system, which ferments vegetation in its crop, giving it a distinctive musky odor. Its chicks possess temporary claws on their wings, a primitive trait. They are largely arboreal and often found in noisy groups in their wetland habitats.
