Entire group incubates eggs and cares for young, which are fed from crop of adult caretakers. Mating probably polygamous and promiscuous. Build loose stick platform two to eight meters above water. Incubation about 28 days. Newly-hatched hoatzins almost featherless, but rapidly grow down, and have claws on first and second digits, so they can climb on vegetation.
Claws disappear at time of definitive plumage formation.
Remain in nest for several weeks after hatching. Status Locally common, but not near human habitation because of human predation on eggs, and on adults for meat for bait, feathers for fans.