Animal of the day – 12/15/2010 – The Hoatzin (I only just discovered this one!)

[Judi Lynn]

Animal of the day – 12/15/2010 – The Hoatzin



The animal of the day is the Hoatzin. (Did you know: It’s also known as the Stinkbird due to the funky smell it creates, prboably due to it’s unique digestive system and the leaves it eats.

Hoatzins are the only members of their genus [Opisthocomus] and have many unique characteristics among birds. It’s the only bird that has claws at the ends of it’s wings! These are much more pronounced in the young.



More:
http://simbania.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/animal-of-the-day-%E2%80%93-12152010-%E2%80%93-the-hoatzin/

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Pretty guys.

[Shrike47]

2. Interesting! Thanks.

[BlueCaliDem]

3. Beautiful birds! eom

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Nat Geo magazine did an article on these many years ago ...

I still remember thinking how these seemed to be some kind of "missing link" between birds and reptiles.

Sadly, their habitat is endangered ... (like every habitat on Earth, it seems).



World's Fair, Hoatzin, and the X-15 -- that was a well-thumbed copy in our house !

[gordianot]

5. Claws on wings a very ancient species.

[Warpy]

6. It seems to have survived this long

because nothing else will eat it unless provoked by starvation, the smell and flavor are so bad.

You've got to appreciate that kind of evolutionary strategy. I certainly do.