Dictionary

hoatzin

noun hoa·tzin \wä(t)-ˈsēn\

Definition of HOATZIN

:  a crested large South American bird (Opisthocomos hoazin) with blue facial skin, red eyes, brown plumage marked with white above, and claws on the first and second digits of the wing when young
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Illustration of HOATZIN

Origin of HOATZIN

ultimately from Nahuatl huāctzin the laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
First Known Use: 1661

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