Hoatzin
Sign in to saveThe hoatzin ( ) or hoactzin ( ) (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 Opisthocomidae family under the order of Opisthocomiformes. Despite being the subject of intense debate by specialists, the taxonomic position of this family is still far from clear.
AI overview
The hoatzin is a tropical bird found in wetland habitats throughout the Amazon and Orinoco regions of South America, and it is the sole surviving member of its entire family and order. Scientists continue to debate its taxonomic classification, making it a puzzling and unusual species that remains incompletely understood.
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Article
12 sectionsContents
- Description
- Young wing claws
- Taxonomy, systematics, and evolution
- Fossil record
- Behavior
- Feeding and habits
- Breeding
- Relationship with humans
- See also
- Notes
- References
- External links
The hoatzin ( ) or hoactzin ( ) (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 Opisthocomidae family under the order of 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. This bird is also the national bird of Guyana, where the local name for this bird is Canje pheasant.