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176 Featured Specimen
Hoatzin

Details

Hoatzin

Opisthocomus hoazin

Size
Wingspan 65–70 cm · 700–900 g
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Social
Lifespan
8-25 years

The hoatzin is a herbivorous bird of South American swamp forests. Diurnal social groups move slowly through branches along water.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses riverine forest, swamp forest, and wetland shrubs in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Overhanging branches provide rest and escape routes.

Appearance

Wingspan is about 65-70 cm and weight about 700-900 g. A spiky crest, blue facial skin, red eyes, and long tail give it a singular look.

Behavior

Active by day, groups browse leaves in waterside vegetation. Flight is weak, and birds usually retreat into dense cover near water when disturbed.

Feeding

It is herbivorous, feeding mainly on leaves and shoots. Foregut fermentation means long resting periods are needed for digestion.

Reproduction

Nests are placed on branches over water, often within social groups. Chicks can use wing claws to clamber through vegetation.

Notes

Its status is listed as Least Concern. It is tightly linked to wet forest edges and is notable for its unusual leaf-digesting system.