Oscar Dewhurst – Hoatzin

Oscar writes: Our last 2 days in Peru were spent at the Manu Learning Centre, run by the Crees foundation. Here we spent one afternoon at a small lake and swamp area, where we saw many birds, including these Hoatzins. They are an oddity in the bird world, eating leaves and young birds possessing a wing claw leading some to suggest a evidence of the transition between reptiles and birds. In reality, however, this is likely to have evolved independently. They sit conspicuously on branches over the water and can often be vary tame, allowing good views and close images like this.

Nikon D800, Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR lens, Nikon 1.4x TC