Lessons from the Hoatzin

HOATZIN: Embrace Your Inner Oddness

Resembling a “punk-rock Chicken”, Hoatzin has little in common with any other living bird. Once thought of as a primitive Bird that linked today’s Birds with extinct reptilian species, Hoatzin is actually a thoroughly modern Bird. But even with the DNA that is available, scientists still argue over Hoatzin’s classification in the Order of Birds.

This baffling Bird has many extraordinary characteristics: such as Baby Hoatzins possessing true claws on their wings. Whenever a predator appears, They quickly jump out of their nest into the swamp. After the danger has passed, Baby Hoatzins will use their claws to climb back up the tree. Even though Adult Hoatzins lose their claws, They still can climb trees, using their wings. (Modern Birds cannot do this.)

Known as the “flying Cow”, Hoatzin eats leaves. Like a Cow, He has a ruminant’s digestive system. (In fact, Hoatzin is the only Bird, as well as, the smallest organism that is a ruminant.) He ferments his food in his crop, which is a pouch-like enlargement of his gullet. Because digesting his food makes Him top heavy, Hoatzin will often rest his breast against a tree branch. This makes Him seem to have an extra leg.

Unlike other Birds, Hoatzin lives in a commune. Because there is not much room for nesting in the Amazon swamps, Grown Hoatzins will often stay with their families. Forgoing their own breeding opportunities, these Birds will help with this year’s Chicks.

Hoatzin teaches you to embrace your inner oddness. Hoatzin may seem bizarre but He has a purpose in his strangeness. He is not like other Birds for a reason. Hoatzin’s odd characteristics help Him to live in the Amazon River basin, where the forests remain flooded for six months each year.