Hoatzin: brown cow of the world of birds (8 photos + 2 videos)

To save life, animals resort to a variety of tricks: they grow claws and fangs, emit wild screams, and blend in with the terrain. But this bird approached the security issue very creatively.





This bright bird with stylish plumage lives in the equatorial zone of South America. It is called a hoatzin and looks like a Phoenix, which burns and rises from the ashes. At least in the illustrations that are used to describe the legends about this mythical miracle.



But in real life... In general, ornithologists first decided to pull the hoatzin by its missing ears to the chickens. Because there seemed to be no other relatives. But then they recognized the error of judgment and separated the corydalis into a separate species and family - the hoacinaceae.

Non-standard taste preferences





The majority of birds are omnivores and do not hesitate to eat a bug or a worm if they come across one on the way. And the hoatzin is definitely worth considering as a pet for convinced vegetarians. It sits on its branches and feeds exclusively on leaves, flowers and berries.

Maybe sometimes a booger pops up, and it’s microscopic and by accident. The one that was hidden on the back of the leaf.

[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_whAqsY3hQ]

Crested Factory



In general, cellulose, which represents the basis of all higher and the vast majority of lower plants, is difficult to process. But the Hoatzins found a way to solve the problem. They have grown a special goiter, the population of which is made up of special microorganisms that cope with the breakdown of cellulose with a bang.

In fact, these are such exotic feathered cows. Because cows have a specific four-chamber stomach in which food undergoes fermentation with the help of microorganisms. And the coarse fibers are regurgitated back and re-digested.



In these birds, the function of the rumen - one of the chambers of the stomach of cows - was taken over by the goiter. And he grew so big that his ability to fly was negatively affected.

No, the wings are still there. And hoatzins can fly. But they do this only in extreme cases and move short distances.

Hey, don't stand too close!



And here they are sitting on the branches, so lovely, well-fed and appetizing. It seems that your grapes are to be gathered and eaten. But predators try to get around the birds on the tenth road if the hoatzins happen to be on the way.

And all why... But because the specifics of food processing gave the birds a “wonderful” aroma. Cow manure smells something like this due to the breakdown of cellulose and plant toxins. By the way, people are also not eager to eat birds of paradise: their meat is so-so.

Clawed little ones



Nature has given birds another effective defense tool. Hoatzin chicks do not stink as much as their parents. And some birds of prey are making attempts to catch the babies. Which mostly turn out to be failures.



The fact is that the chicks have quite impressive claws at the tips of their wings. But they don't brush off attackers like Wolverine. And they dive into the water like fish. And when the surprised danger flies away, like monkeys they climb back to the nest.

As the claws grow, they practically disappear. But a smell appears, and new hoatzins crawl onto the branches to give the world the brightness of their plumage and frighten them with a vile smell.