The Hoatzin bird is a new tropical bird that lives along slow-moving rivers and lakes in the Amazon Basin.
Belonging to the family Opisthocomidae, order Opisthocomiformes.
With its distinctive appearance, loud calls, propensity for living in social groups, and unique method of navigating through tree branches, the Hoatzin bird has become the national bird of Guyana.
In this article from teketrek, we will get to know this bird, its habitat, and its way of life.
General Appearance of the Hoatzin Bird:
The Hoatzin bird is characterized by a long neck and a small head.
It has a featherless blue face with chestnut-colored eyes, topped by a red spiky crest.
The Hoatzin bird has a long tail with dark brown color and a broad white or orange band at its tip.
Its upperparts are dark with brown edges, becoming streaked orange on the throat and nape. The underparts are mostly orange.
Habitat of the Hoatzin Bird:
The native habitat of the Hoatzin bird is the South American continent, especially in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, as well as Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.
It is found in South America in both the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
These birds do not migrate and inhabit coastal forests, swamps, and mangrove trees.
Habits and Lifestyle of Hoatzin Birds:
Hoatzin birds are social birds, living in family groups or small flocks.
They are usually active during the day, feeding in the early morning and late afternoon, and spending the rest of their day perched.
Hoatzin birds can fly to a limited extent, mainly hopping from one tree to another. They require significant noisy efforts to flee when in danger.
Reproduction in Hoatzin Birds:
Hoatzin birds are monogamous, meaning males mate with only one female, and females mate with only one male.
These birds breed during the rainy season and nest in small colonies.
Females lay two or three eggs in stick nests suspended above water in flooded forests seasonally.
Both parents incubate the eggs for approximately 32 days.
Chicks typically remain in the nest for two to three weeks after hatching and are fed by both parents for up to two months.
Young hoatzins start flying at around 55-65 days old and reach reproductive maturity at one year old.
Hoatzins build their nests on branches overhanging water bodies, laying 2-3 eggs per clutch.
Each hoatzin chick possesses two claws on each wing during their first three months of life.
If a predator approaches a hoatzin nest, chicks will drop into the water below but do not drown.
These remarkable swimmers paddle to safety and hide along the shore until the threat passes, then use their small claws to climb back up the tree and to the nest.
Threats to Hoatzin Birds:
Hoatzin birds remain somewhat common across much of their range and are not considered endangered. However, they suffer from habitat loss, with their preferred habitats of mangrove trees and riverine forests disappearing rapidly in some areas.
Dietary Habits of Hoatzin Birds:
Hoatzin birds are herbivores, consuming plant leaves that grow in the swampy and riverine habitats they inhabit.
Occasionally, they may feed on fruits and flowers.
In Brazil, indigenous people sometimes collect their eggs for food, and adult birds are occasionally hunted.
Hoatzin birds are referred to as “flying cows.”
They are ruminant birds, similar to cows, goats, and sheep.
It digests its food with the help of bacterial fermentation.
These ruminant birds possess specialized pouches in their intestines called “crop,” whereas hoatzins have an enlarged crop and a gizzard.
The hoatzin is the only bird in the world to use these parts of the foregut instead of the stomach to digest food.
Their diet consists almost entirely of leaves, which pass into the bird’s intestines, where bacterial fermentation begins.
In the foregut there are bacteria that produce enzymes that play a role in breaking down the cellulose found in the tough leaf material.
More than 1000 species of bacteria found in the hoatzin’s intestines are also found in mammalian ruminants, while other bacteria seem unique to these birds.
The foul-smelling bacterial gases emitted by the hoatzin contribute to its nickname, “stinkbird.”
The digestion process takes a very long time, up to 45 hours. This is why these birds spend about 80% of their time loafing.
Hoatzins often cannot fly when their crops are full of fermenting leaves.
Even on an empty stomach, the hoatzin is not a strong flier because its flight muscles are less developed than those of other flying birds.
There is only limited space in the hoatzin’s body, and perhaps flight muscles have regressed during species evolution to accommodate this large crop
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Hoatzin Birds:
Why aren’t hoatzin birds hunted?
It is said that the smell of hoatzin birds is not only unpleasant but also their taste is unappealing. Perhaps for this reason, hoatzin birds have not been hunted excessively like many other birds.
Where can hoatzin birds be seen?
Hoatzin birds do not live long in zoos, so the best bet to see one is to go to South America and find them in the wild.
- How do hoatzin birds defend themselves?
Hoatzin chicks have a unique advantage, as hoatzin birds have claws on each wing. Upon hatching, they can use these claws and their large feet to navigate around tree branches without falling into the water.
- What is special about the hoatzin bird?
The hoatzin bird is special for its unique digestive system, with a foregut similar to a cow’s, claws on its wings, and its foul odor, earning it the nickname “stinkbird.”
- Why are Hoatzins called stink birds?
Hoatzins are called “stink birds” because they emit a strong, foul odor, which is particularly noticeable when they are disturbed or threatened. This odor is caused by the fermentation process in their specialized digestive system, giving them their distinctive nickname.
- Is the hoatzin extinct?
No, the hoatzin is not extinct. It is still extant and can be found in certain regions of South America, particularly in the Amazon Basin. While it faces threats such as habitat loss and degradation, the hoatzin is not currently classified as an extinct species.
When predatory animals like the black hawk attack a hoatzin nesting colony, adults fly noisily, trying to divert the predator’s attention. Meanwhile, the chicks move away from the nest and hide among the bushes. However, if discovered, they drop into the water and swim underwater to escape. They later use their clawed wings to climb back to safety.
In summary, the hoatzin bird is a wonderful addition to bird diversity, combining beauty, song, and distinctive social behavior. This charming bird deserves protection of its natural habitat to ensure its continuity and contribution to the natural ecosystem in a healthy and sustainable way.
