Hoatzin

Opisthocomus hoazin

The hoatzin or hoactzin, (Opisthocomus hoazin), is the only extant species in the order Opisthocomiformes. It is a species of tropical bird found in swamps, riparian forests, and mangroves of the Amazon and the Orinoco basins in South America. It is notable for having chicks that have claws on two of their wing digits. The hoatzin is pheasant-sized, with a total length of 65 cm, and a long neck and small head. It has an unfeathered blue face with maroon eyes, and its head is topped by a spiky, rufous crest. The long, sooty-brown tail is a broadly tipped buff. The upper parts are dark, sooty-brown-edged buff on the wing coverts, and streaked buff on the mantle and nape. The under parts are buff, while the crissum (the undertail coverts surrounding the cloaca), primaries, underwing coverts and flanks are rich rufous-chestnut, but this is mainly visible when it opens its wings. The hoatzin is a herbivore, eating leaves and fruit, and has an unusual digestive system with an enlarged crop used for fermentation of vegetable matter, in a manner broadly analogous to the digestive system of mammalian ruminants. The alternative name of "stinkbird" is derived from the bird's foul odour, which is caused by the fermentation of food in its digestive system.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Hoatzins on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A photo of a Hoatzin photographed in  Ecuador
🦐
Olga Volman
Monday 30 Jan 2023 - 1:10pm
Ecuador
A map showing the sighting location
🐦
Edward Clifford
Wednesday 21 Oct 2020 - 2:15pm
Ecuador
A map showing the sighting location
🐦
Edward Clifford
Wednesday 21 Oct 2020 - 11:10am
Ecuador
A map showing the sighting location
🐦
Edward Clifford
Tuesday 20 Oct 2020 - 3:35pm
Ecuador
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.