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.
Phylogeny
The phylogeny below is based on the work of Hughes & Baker 1999 and Mayr & De Pietri 2014. Traditionally classified among the fowl-like birds (Galliformes), recent studies have favored Opisthocomidae's placement within the Neoaves.
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†Namibiavis
†Protoazin
†Hoazinavis
Opisthocomus
Taxonomy
Family Opisthocomidae Swainson 1837
Genus ?†Foro Olson 1992 (mid-Eocene, USA) - cuculiform?
Species †Foro panarium Olson 1992
Genus ?†Onychopteryx Cracraft 1971 (Early Eocene of Argentina) – falconid? A nomen dubium
Species †Onychopteryx simpsoni Cracraft 1971
Genus †Protoazin Mayr & De Pietri 2014 (late Eocene of France)
Species †Protoazin parisiensis Mayr & De Pietri 2014
Genus †Namibiavis Mourer-Chauviré 2003 (Middle Miocene of Namibia)
Species †Namibiavis senutae Mourer-Chauviré 2003
Genus †Hoazinavis Alvarenga, Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré 2011 (Late Oligocene and Early Miocene of Brazil)
Species †Hoazinavis lacustris Alvarenga, Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré 2011
Genus †Hoazinoides Miller 1953 (middle Miocene of Colombia)
Species †Hoazinoides magdalenae Miller 1953
Genus Opisthocomus Illiger 1811
Species Opisthocomus hoazin (Müller 1776) Illiger 1811
Description
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.
The hoatzin is a stunning, colourful bird from South America. The hoatzin is found in the rainforest of the Amazon. It...
