Discover the hoatzin, a stinky, leaf-eating bird of the Amazon rainforest with a cow-like digestive system, striking appearance, and unique evolutionary history.
If you were to conjure up the strangest, hodge-podge creation of a bird in your mind, it would likely not be nearly as strange as the hoatzin (That altogether unflattering name is apt, as this bird is renowned for the stench it leaves behind., the hoatzin has numerous small “stomachs” that allow its food to go through a fermentation process, much like cows. Like the notoriously belch-prone bovines, the hoatzin produces rather foul-smelling methane and particularly fragrant droppings.
This penchant for leaves — and the need to digest them — means that the hoatzin spends much of its day perched in place, doing nothing much at all aside from digesting.But this unique dietary habit is not the only remarkable trait this species has; looking at this rather plump bird, with its brightly colored mohawk-like crest and blue skin, is reminiscent of a chicken that’s taken a trip through the looking glass.
Despite their wings, hoatzins are also not adept fliers. Adults take to the air only briefly when they move from tree to tree, and usually, they can be seen hopping and climbing between branches in a rather clumsy manner.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Son shot father in face over argument about 'stinky feet': copsToday's Video Headlines: 8/15/24
Read more »
Asteroid That Killed the Dinosaurs Has a Bizarre Origin StoryWhen the Chicxulub asteroid slammed into Earth, it set off a chain of planet-wide devastation. New research suggests we should blame Jupiter.
Read more »
Kamala Harris' bizarre fiscal policy: Letters to the Editor — Aug. 17, 2024NY Post readers discuss the Dem nominee’s ever-changing positions on inflation and other economic issues.
Read more »
1 Bizarre Neelix Line Explains His Star Trek: Voyager Kes BreakupA collage of Neelix and Kes from Star Trek: Voyager on a blue and purple background with a cracked glass effect.
Read more »
Why Israel-Hamas cease-fire negotiations are a bizarre farceIsrael has now eliminated at least 17,000 of Hamas’ estimated 30,000 goons, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari announced this week.
Read more »
'It's just madness': Inside Trump's list of increasingly bizarre claimsThis is additional taxonomy that helps us with analytics
Read more »