Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Hoatzin
Opisthocomus hoazin
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) — Unusual & Unique Birds of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is a member of the Opisthocomidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 696 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Opisthocomiformes
- Family Opisthocomidae Hoatzin
- Genus Opisthocomus
- Species hoazin
Quick facts
- Weight
- 696 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Opisthocomidae
- Order
- Opisthocomiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hoatzin feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Hoatzin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is a member of the Opisthocomidae family, within the order Opisthocomiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Amazonia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 696 g, with a wing length of about 32.2 cm and a tail of around 29.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 7.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Hoatzin?
The Hoatzin is a large bird that weighs around 696 g.
Where does the Hoatzin live?
The Hoatzin is found across South America with a range covering SA Amazonia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Hoatzin belong to?
The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) belongs to the Opisthocomidae family, in the order Opisthocomiformes.
What does the Hoatzin eat?
The Hoatzin feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Hoatzin migrate?
The Hoatzin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Hoatzin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Hoatzin make?
1 real field recording of the Hoatzin — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Hoatzin's range?
The Hoatzin has a mapped global range of about 7.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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