Opisthocomidae is a family of birds, the only named family within the order Opisthocomiformes. The only living representative is the hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) which lives in the Amazon and the Orinoco delta in South America. Several fossil species have been identified, including one from Africa and one from Europe. and Mayr & De Pietri 2014.
- Genus ?†Foro <small>Olson 1992</small> (mid-Eocene, USA) - cuculiform?
- Species †Foro panarium <small>Olson 1992</small>
- Genus ?†Onychopteryx <small>Cracraft 1971</small> (Early Eocene of Argentina) – falconid? A nomen dubium<!-- Evolution39:1174. -->
- Species †Onychopteryx simpsoni <small>Cracraft 1971</small>
- Genus †Protoazin <small>Mayr & De Pietri 2014</small> (late Eocene of France)
- Species †Protoazin parisiensis <small>Mayr & De Pietri 2014</small>
- Genus †Namibiavis <small>Mourer-Chauviré 2003</small> (Middle Miocene of Namibia)
- Species †Namibiavis senutae <small>Mourer-Chauviré 2003</small>
- Genus †Hoazinavis <small>Alvarenga, Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré 2011</small> (Late Oligocene and Early Miocene of Brazil)
- Species †Hoazinavis lacustris <small>Alvarenga, Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré 2011</small>
- Genus †Hoazinoides <small>Miller 1953</small> (middle Miocene of Colombia)
- Species †Hoazinoides magdalenae <small>Miller 1953</small>
- Genus Opisthocomus <small>Illiger 1811</small>
- Species Opisthocomus hoazin <small>(Müller 1776) Illiger 1811</small> [Phasianus hoazin <small>Müller 1776</small>]
Description
The only living representative is the hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), which lives in the Amazon and the Orinoco delta in South America. The hoatzin is found in the rainforest of the Amazon. It has a long, permanently erected crest which gives the species a distinctive silhouette. This gregarious species is often found in groups of more than 40 birds, and up to 100 birds during breeding season which occurs during rainfalls. This is a process called foregut fermentation. It rarely drinks because its diet is high in water.
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