Hoatzin
Opisthocomus hoazin
- Length
- 61–66 cm
- Family
- Hoatzin (Opisthocomidae)
- Order
- Opisthocomiformes
Overview
The hoatzin ( WAHT-sin, -seen; also HO-tsin and hoh-AT-sin) (Opisthocomus hoazin) is a species of tropical bird found in swamps, riparian forests, and mangroves of the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South America. It is the only extant species in the genus Opisthocomus which is the only extant genus in the family Opisthocomidae under the order Opisthocomiformes. Despite being the subject of intense debate by specialists, the taxonomic position of this family is still far from clear.
The hoatzin is notable for its chicks having primitive claws on two of their wing digits. It is unique among birds in possessing a digestive system that significantly supports the fermentation and the effective breakdown of plant matter, a trait more commonly known from herbivorous ungulate-ruminant mammals and some primates.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Diet: Leaves, fermented in an enlarged crop, which gives the bird a strong smell.
How to identify it
- Pheasant-sized bird with a spiky crest and bare blue face
- Chestnut wings and buff underparts
- Chicks have claws on their wings to climb back up after dropping into water
Voice
Hoarse hissing and grunting calls.
Where to see it
- Tambopata, Peru
- Manu, Peru
Destination guides featuring this bird
- JJanuary: Poor or no data
- FFebruary: Poor or no data
- MMarch: Poor or no data
- AApril: Good
- MMay: Best
- JJune: Best
- JJuly: Best
- AAugust: Best
- SSeptember: Best
- OOctober: Best
- NNovember: Good
- DDecember: Poor or no data
- JJanuary: Poor or no data
- FFebruary: Poor or no data
- MMarch: Poor or no data
- AApril: Good
- MMay: Best
- JJune: Best
- JJuly: Best
- AAugust: Best
- SSeptember: Best
- OOctober: Best
- NNovember: Good
- DDecember: Poor or no data
Range and habitat
Amazon and Orinoco basin lowlands and the Guianas.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Continents
Habitats
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Hoatzin
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.