Archive for 'Opisthocomidae'

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

The iconic Hoatzin is a strange looking bird as well as in behaviour, but it’s also beautiful I think. It’s like no other bird! It raises the head plume as seen here when excited – by each other or passers by like me. Nice hairdo! This is from the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) […]

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

I’m fascinated by these prehistoric-like birds of the Amazon rainforest – they are like no other bird! They can hardly fly, they sound like a magpie stuck on the first note during the day, and they sound otherworldly at night especially around full moon. Here they’re temporarily perched on a fallen tree in the oxbow […]

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

It was perched in such a nice position and light, as if it wanted me to take a picture. Usually they prefer some distance, and if the comfort zone is about to be breached, they flap wings and turn around like if in a weird sort of ballet. This one was just watching silently (!)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

The sun has set and the Hoatzin is prepping for the nocturnal activities. The moon is bright, and that sometimes brings out sounds never heard during the day. Unfortunately I have not been able to locate any such recordings, so I have decided to bring my own recorder in the future.

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

The unmistakable profile of the Hoatzin – even close to darkness you know immediately what bird it is.

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

What a peculiar bird. For one its song repertoire is stuck on one note – the intro of the Magpie which it will repeat over and over again. Then there is the flapping of the wings – sometimes they open them and use them in a way that resembles a cape. It seems they are […]