Hoatzin’s are pretty unique birds. They are pheasant-sized and live in much of northern South America, throughout the Amazon region. They are sometimes called the skunk bird or stinkbird because of the foul oder that comes from the fermentation of food in their digestive system. Another interesting fact is that chicks have claws on two of their wing digits. I photographed this hoatzin from a canoe while in the Bolivian Amazon. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
If the smell doesn’t repel you, that scary gaze will! What a weird bird! We’re travelling to the Amazon next February — I’ll be on the lookout for these! (I would never have know to look if it weren’t for your post! Thanks!)
What a remarkable bird, with many unusual features. Chicks with claws on two of their wing digits is most interesting. Maybe that’s to make up for its, shall we say, scent?
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Hoatzin’s are pretty unique birds. They are pheasant-sized and live in much of northern South America, throughout the Amazon region. They are sometimes called the skunk bird or stinkbird because of the foul oder that comes from the fermentation of food in their digestive system. Another interesting fact is that chicks have claws on two of their wing digits. I photographed this hoatzin from a canoe while in the Bolivian Amazon. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
Kinda resembles a chicken with a punk hairdo!
LOL!
WOW.. that’s a fascinating bird!
I’m going to take a wild guess and say that this bird’s diet consists mostly of bugs, berries and raw, unprocessed cocaine.
Love the blue eye shadow!
If the smell doesn’t repel you, that scary gaze will! What a weird bird! We’re travelling to the Amazon next February — I’ll be on the lookout for these! (I would never have know to look if it weren’t for your post! Thanks!)
What a remarkable bird, with many unusual features. Chicks with claws on two of their wing digits is most interesting. Maybe that’s to make up for its, shall we say, scent?