1. plural of hoatzin; large tropical South American birds with crested heads and clawed wings when young
Usage: ornithology

Examples

• The hoatzins perched awkwardly on branches overhanging the river.
• Young hoatzins use their wing claws to climb through vegetation.
• We spotted several hoatzins during our Amazon rainforest expedition.
• Hoatzins are known for their distinctive musty odor.
• The guide explained that hoatzins are among the most primitive living birds.
• Local people rarely hunt hoatzins because of their unpleasant smell.