The hoatzin is rather large, about two feet long and weighs about two pounds. It is one of the most colorful birds in the world and a native of South America. It is found along the banks of the Amazon and other rivers. Its principal food is leaves and fruit of plants growing in the marshes, as well as an occasional small fish, crab or frog. It is not a good flyer and, except when nesting, spends most of its time on the ground or in low brush.
An impressive crest (crown), composed of a dozen or so thin black and yellow feathers, stands straight up in a fan shape from the top of its head, which is deep blue. Its neck, brown on the back and over its wings, is marked with white cross-stripes. The front is solid white between its strong, sharp beak and its stomach, where deep orange takes over down to its gray legs. Long tail feathers on the young are gray, with light yellow tips, but on adults are dark brown with a wide yellow border at the tips. All in all, they are strange looking, but very colorful birds.
As many as five eggs are laid in loosely woven nests which are built as high as 20 feet above ground alongside a river or stream. Little ones hatch out in about a month’s time, and during the first two years of life often stay with the mother to help take care of new hatchlings. If they are not available, other friendly hoatzins become helpers.
Young hoatzins are born with claws on their wings which they use to climb on tree branches until they learn to fly. When they get older the claws fall off.
If an unprotected young one, resting in this high nest, is threatened and no helper is near, it will dive headfirst into the water below, swimming under the surface for quite a distance. Then, when the danger is past, it will work slowly back through the brush, at times hooking its chin, feathers and claws over a branch low to the ground to help it reach the other side. Then it will climb to its nest when it reaches the right tree.
Do you think the Creator knows about these hoatzins, so well hidden in the jungles? He certainly does, as the above Bible verse says, and provides for all their needs. But His love for you and me is much greater. He says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3).
He invites you to know Him as your Saviour, to enjoy His love while still on earth, and then share it more fully in the wonder of heaven for all eternity. Will you accept His loving-kindness and thank Him for it today? “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart.” Psalm 95:7,87For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (Psalm 95:7‑8).
ML-06/07/1992