The hoatzin is a rather large bird, about two feet long and weighing 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 main food is leaves and fruit of plants growing in the marshes, as well as occasional small fish, crabs or frogs. It is not a good flyer and spends most of its time on the ground or in low brush, except when nesting.
An impressive crest composed of a dozen or so thin black and yellow feathers stands up in fan shape on the top of its head, which is deep blue. Its neck, brown on the back and over its wings, is marked with white stripes. The front is solid white between its strong, sharp beak and its breast, 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 they are dark brown with a wide yellow band at the tips. Hoatzins are unusual looking but very colorful birds.
As many as five eggs are laid in loosely woven nests which are built as high as twenty feet above ground alongside a river or stream. The young hatch out in about a month, and during the first two years of life they 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 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. When it reaches the right tree, it will climb to its nest.
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 He 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 to share it more fully in the wonder of heaven for all eternity. Will you accept His loving-kindness and thank Him for it today? “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart” (Psalm 95:78).
ML-02/27/2005
FEBRUARY 27, 2005