The hoatzin is a primitive bird species and bears a close resemblance to some of the early fossil birds. The national bird of Guyana is thought to have descended from dinosaurs. This bird combines the properties of reptiles, modern birds and Archeopteryx. It looks like some kind of transitional form from lizards to birds, frozen at the moment of its development.
Its scientific name Opisthocomus hoatzin means "pheasant with a crest along its back".
This is an amazing relic bird. The Hoatzin has little body fat, stout legs, a long broad tail, a long, unkempt neck, and a small head topped with a crest of barbed feathers.
Chestnut feathers are also characteristic features of the Hoatzin, during the mating season, males have a bright blue "face" and red eyes, as well as a strong musky smell - its natural defense against predators.
Hoatzin meat also has
Hoatzin is definitely a special bird. It flies very little, only in summer and for short distances. Feeds on leaves.
Hoatzin chicks can swim. This is a very useful skill, as Hoatzins love to build their nests in trees overhanging numerous rivers. However, birds lose their swimming skills as adults.
In addition, the chicks have claws on their wings, with which they climb trees. Very funny looking little hoatzins crawling on a tree on all four limbs. These claws also disappear in adulthood.
But at the same time, in adulthood, the bird begins to sing. True, those who heard the Hoatzin singing consider it more like a croak.
Hoatzins in Guyana live on the banks of the Berbice River and its tributaries.
Birds - symbols different countriesBirds, fish, vegetation are indispensable elements of nature. Without these creatures, there would be no life on earth. Let's look at examples of nature's vivid fantasy - beautiful birds Lands that are also symbols of their countries
Peacock, India.
Peacocks are an ancient symbol of glory and immortality. This graceful bird is the national symbol of India. In Hinduism, peacocks are associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of good luck, kindness and beneficence. It is a great happiness to watch this beautiful bird as it spreads its tail.
Blue jay, Canada.
A very curious blue bird, with an unusual black collar around its neck. The blue jay is known for being one of the most intelligent birds.
East African crowned crane.
The bird, 3.3 feet tall, with a crown of stiff golden feathers, is the national bird of Uganda.
Dark red sunbird, Singapore.
The Crimson Sunbird is a tiny, attractive bird with a yellow rump, crimson breast, and olive belly. This cute little bird is the national bird of Singapore.
Flamingos, Bahamas.
Also known are the Caribbean flamingo and the American flamingo. Birds live in Central America, Southern Mexico and the Caribbean. The Caribbean flamingo is the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America. Flamingos are the national bird of the Bahamas.
Hoatzin, Guyana.
Hoatzin is the national bird of Guyana. This bird has a characteristic specific smell that scares off predators, and when danger approaches, it begins to make all kinds of loud sounds.
Cardinal bird, USA.
This bird is easily recognizable due to its vibrant warm red hues all over its body.
Magnificent frigate bird, Antigua and Barbuda.
The frigate bird is the national bird of the dual island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A bird with a wingspan of about seven feet. The pouch on the chest is characteristic of males. They inflate it during mating games.
South America includes 12 independent countries and overseas territories of France and Great Britain. This is a picturesque continent huge amount historical monuments and a multitude of birds that are not found on other continents. Most South American countries have an animal or bird that is recognized as a national symbol.
This huge black bird has been chosen as the national symbol in a number of South American countries, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Argentina. The Andean condor plays a special role in the folklore and mythology of the Andean people. Like moose, okapi and giraffe, this bird is a representative of a monotypic genus. Basically, the Andean condor is found in open, non-forested areas located at an altitude of up to 5000 meters.
The head and neck of this majestic bird is devoid of plumage, which minimizes the risk of infectious infections. These parts of the body may turn red depending on the emotional state of the bird. Males can be distinguished by the presence of a large dark red crest and wrinkled skin around the neck. Females are usually slightly smaller than males, but heavier. They have a large wingspan.
You can distinguish the Andean condor from the similar California relative by the collar of white feathers around the neck. The condor takes off with difficulty, but prefers to rise to considerable heights and soars in the air. In captivity, these birds can live up to a hundred years.
puma and jaguar
The cougar is the national animal of Argentina. This graceful predator is found in all major climatic regions. Depending on the region, this animal is called a mountain lion, puma or mountain cat.
The last definition is associated with the external appearance of the animal, which is more like a large domestic cat than a real lion. The cougar preys on various ungulates, stalking its prey from an ambush.
In Guyana and Brazil, the jaguar is considered a national symbol from the world of fauna. This animal plays a huge role in the ecosystem of its range, so its extermination can lead to a strong change in the environment.
The jaguar also belongs to the umbrella species, so its protection also implies the protection of a number of other inhabitants. More than 80 species of animals can become prey for this predator.
vicuña and alpaca
This animal is a national symbol. The fine wool of the vicuña is very valuable, considering that a haircut can be done every 2-3 years. These animals live in the Andes at an altitude of 3200 to 4800 meters.
Since the vicuña lives in the rarefied air of the Andean mountains, it has a heart that is 50% larger than that of animals of the same weight. Another unique feature of this alpine animal is its constantly growing incisors.
The alpaca is recognized as the national symbol of Bolivia. Like the vicuña, it is bred for woolen yarn, which is knitted or woven into warm clothes. These animals have long been domesticated, and now it is difficult to meet wild alpacas.
Although the alpaca is similar to the llama, it is still small enough to be used as a beast of burden. Therefore, they are grown exclusively for meat and wool, which is very valuable, and therefore often becomes the main prey of smugglers.
Pampas fox and South Andean deer
The pampas fox is the national symbol of Paraguay. This fox lives on open areas, on grassy plains. Her fur is predominantly gray with a reddish tint on the head and neck, and runs along the ridge black line. The tail of this fox is long, with thick hair and black tips. Black markings are also found on the hind legs.
The national symbol of Chile is the South Andean deer, one of two endangered species of deer found in the Andes. In summer, these animals live at high altitudes, and in winter they descend into sheltered forest valleys. These deer are medium in size, have a hunched thick body and short legs. Thick wool provides these animals with reliable protection from cold and moisture. This species of deer is listed in the Red Book. Their only enemy is the puma.
Red-bellied Thrush and Hoatzin
The red-bellied thrush is recognized as one of the national birds of Brazil. There are 12 subspecies of this bird, which differ from each other in color. In winter, the red-bellied thrush migrates north to the tropics, and with the onset of warm weather in the temperate zone of southern Brazil, it returns to its homeland. This bird can be found both in cities and in rural areas. The main food of the red-bellied thrush is coconuts, oranges, papaya and insects. The life expectancy of this bird is 25-30 years.
The hoatzin is the national bird of Guyana. The Europeans gave it the name "stink bird" because of the specific smell of meat. Hoatzin has a bizarre appearance, a pointed crest, bright plumage and the most unpleasant odor, which arises from the specifics of the digestion of food in the crop.
This bird is found in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, where it is recognized as a national symbol. The bare-throated bell ringer is distributed mainly in subtropical or tropical lowlands, as well as in humid tropical mountain forests.
The male has a snow-white body with a bright turquoise mark in the throat area. Females and chicks also have a light or olive green body and a black head. The name "ringer" comes from the sharp cries of males, which are issued in order to attract females. The sound emitted is like a hammer hitting an anvil or a bell.
Andean cock-of-the-rock, red stovepiper and troupial
The Andean Rock Cockerel is a medium-sized bird that lives in the Andean rocky forests at an altitude of 500 to 2400 meters. She is the national symbol of Peru. Males can be distinguished by the presence of a large disc-shaped crest and scarlet or bright orange plumage. The females are predominantly brown. The tail and wings of these birds are black. Andean rock cockerels feed mainly on fruits and insects.
The red stovepiper is a rusty-colored bird that is the national symbol of Argentina and Uruguay. The name "stove" is associated with the complex structures of nests that these birds build from clay. The red stovepiper is a large bird with a square tail, red-brown plumage and a light throat. They feed in the main forest, but are often found near human dwellings.
The common colored troupial is the national symbol of Venezuela. In total, there are more than 25 types of troupials. These are rather large birds with a long tail. Feature appearance- a sharp contrast between the dark head and neck and the body of a bright lemon or orange color, with a small white stripe along the wings.
Not many countries located on planet Earth received symbols that became official emblems as a gift. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is among the lucky ones. Initially, the coat of arms of Guyana was granted by Elizabeth II, the English queen, and then was approved by the country's parliament. A significant event took place a little less than sixty years ago, on February 25, 1966, along with independence.
The main state symbol of the republic is based on European heraldic traditions, elements found in many coats of arms of the countries of mother Europe are used. But there are also national motifs and symbols.
Description of the Guyanese coat of arms
The traditional European heraldic elements present on the coat of arms of the former British Guyana include: a classic shield; Knight's helmet; two-color windbreak; animals as shield holders; ribbon with the motto of the state.
At the same time, each element contains traditional Guyanese symbols and images. In the center of the shield are wavy blue lines reminiscent of the three main rivers of the country (Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice).
Above the waves is an image of a flowering plant. This is Victoria Amazonian (the second name is Victoria regia), a tropical plant that surprises everyone with the size of a water lily flower. It was him that the Guyanese chose as their national symbol and provided a place on the coat of arms. Below the waves is the tropical bird hoatzin, also related to the national shrines of the inhabitants of Guyana.
Two more representatives of the world of fauna have found a place for themselves on the main symbol of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana - these are jaguars, which fell on the mission of shield holders. They are the personification wildlife, strength, speed, courage.
With one paw, jaguars hold a shield, in the other they have objects that speak of the main directions of the country's economy. Thus, one of the animals holds a rice shoot and a sugarcane sprout, because Agriculture plays important role in the economy of Guyana, these are the plants most commonly planted. The second has a pick in its paw - a symbol of the leading mining industry.
The significance of mining is also emphasized by two precious stones located on the sides of the helmet. Its decoration is feathers, which refer to the Indians, the indigenous population of the country. The helmet itself is a symbol of ties and relationships with the UK.
Birds, fish, vegetation are indispensable elements of nature. Without these creatures, there would be no life on earth. Let's look at examples of the vivid fantasy of nature - the most beautiful birds of the Earth, which are also symbols of their countries.
East African crowned crane.
The bird, 3.3 feet tall, with a crown of stiff golden feathers, is the national bird of Uganda.
Dark red sunbird, Singapore.
The Crimson Sunbird is a tiny, attractive bird with a yellow rump, crimson breast, and olive belly. This cute little bird is the national bird of Singapore.
Flamingos, Bahamas.
Also known are the Caribbean flamingo and the American flamingo. Birds live in Central America, Southern Mexico and the Caribbean. The Caribbean flamingo is the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America. West Indian Flamingos are the national bird of the Bahamas.
Hoatzin, Guyana.
Hoatzin is the national bird of Guyana. This bird has a characteristic specific smell that scares off predators, and when danger approaches, it begins to make all kinds of loud sounds.
Cardinal bird, USA.
This bird is easily recognizable due to its vibrant warm red hues all over its body.
Magnificent frigate bird, Antigua and Barbuda.
The frigate bird is the national bird of the dual island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A bird with a wingspan of about seven feet. The pouch on the chest is characteristic of males. They inflate it during mating games.
