Definition

Noun: A tropical bird (Opisthocomus hoazin) native to South American swamps and riverine forests. It is known for its distinctive crest, strong odor, and the unique characteristic that its chicks possess functional claws on their first two wing digits, which they use for climbing.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The hoactzin is often called the "stinkbird" due to its unpleasant smell.
  • Scientists study the hoactzin because its chicks have claws on their wings, a rare trait among modern birds.

Advanced Usage

• The hoactzin is sometimes used in evolutionary biology discussions as it possesses anatomical features considered primitive, linking it to ancient bird species.
  • The hoactzin's unique digestive system and wing-clawed young make it a subject of great interest for researchers studying avian evolution.

Variants and Related Words

• Hoatzin: This is the more common and preferred spelling for the same bird species.
  • The hoatzin is the national bird of Guyana.

Synonyms

• Stinkbird: A common name referring to the bird's foul odor caused by its unique foregut fermentation.
• Canje pheasant: A regional name used in Guyana.

Notes on Meaning

This word refers specifically to a single, unique species of bird. It does not have multiple distinct meanings. The primary focus of the definition is on the bird's physical characteristics (crest, odor) and the remarkable trait of its chicks having wing claws.

Noun

1. crested ill-smelling South American bird whose young have claws on the first and second digits of the wings