Somewhere in South America, around the canopy (the upper parts of the trees of a rainforest), amazon basin, and riverbank trees is where you would find the Opisthocomus Hoazin (''pheasant with a crest down it's back), Shansho or so called "Hoatzin''.

     The hoatzin's length is about 61-66cm or 24-26in long. It weighs about 816 grams, and is a chicken size bird, with large wings, a small head, and a long black tail. It also has a frizzy red crest, red eyes with a large bright blue area around them, and a bare head. The sexes of the hoatzins are very similar, only that females are slightly smaller, and have lower crests. Due to how they look is that they have many nicknames like: reptile-birds, because of their crocodilian odor and harsh monotonous call, and the "Flying cow", because of it's clumsiness in the air and unusual diet.

    Hoatzins are sort of "vegetarian" animals, they only eat plants, flowers, and fruits. Their eating time is twice a day, for about 30 minutes. Due to the kind of fermentation these animals have, which is foregut fermentation, (2 stomachs). This makes them strange among other birds, (and are more likely to be sociable with cows, sheep, etc).

     Hoatzins are not social at all with animals like: piranhas, caimans, alligators, etc; but this is because they are it's enemies. As well as enemies, hoatzins also have predators, which are mostly humans. Humans kill hoatzins, because of their meat and feathers. Still, hoatzins are not yet considered endangered animals, because they don't live near their predators. Even though, hunting and destruction of their habitat can cause consequences, hoatzins have many ways to protect themselves. This is why they havn't yet faced any consequences.

    These animals protect themselves with their claws on the bend of each wing, adult birds produce and offensive odor, and only young birds are able to hide under water, (because adult hoatzins can't swim). Not only how do they protect themselves, but their adaptations have also helped them survive. Over time, they have adapted by: flying in large flocks, and having those claws that help them climb. Hoatzins also protect their young by: letting out their smelly odor, and by retaining the batch of eggs inside itself.

    Hoatzins lay about 4 or 5 eggs at a time, which have blue or brown spots. The good thing is that they don't have a risk of a bad survival rate. There is actually not a fixed season for hoatzins to start reproducing, so they start when they want to. The incubation period is about 28 days, and when the birds are born, they leave after 10-14 days depending when they can start to feed themselves, they are very, very special birds.

    Hoatzins are so special, that they are the national bird of Guyana, which a country located in South America. So, if you are not amazed by this animal, by all the nicknames it has, and all the strange things it does, then you should read this report again. And then, you would know that deep, deep inside the rainforest there is a very special animal called the hoatzin.