Hoatzin

Opisthocomus hoazin

Photo by Hernan Povedano (Flickr)

Common name:

hoatzin (en); jacu-cigano (pt); hoazin huppé (fr); hoacín (es); hoatzin (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Opisthocomiformes

Family Opisthocomidae

Range:

The hoatzin is only found in the Amazon basin, in northern Brazil, in Suriname and the Guyanas, in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

Size:

They are 60-69 cm long and weigh up to 900 g.

Habitat:

The hoatzin occurs in swamps, fresh water marshes, gallery forests, and banks of rivers, lakes and streams.

Diet:

These birds mostly eat leaves, namely the leaves of tropical legumes. To a lesser extent they also eat fruits and flowers.

Breeding:

Hoatzins breed during the local rainy season. The nest is built with sticks on branches over water, about 2-6 metres above the surface. Females lay 2-3 eggs which are incubated for 30-34 days. Both parents feed and brood the chicks. The chicks are fed regurgitated fermented food and stay in the nest for 16-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The species has a very large breeding range and described as common throughout that range. They are not considered threatened at present.