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Birds
Boat-billed heron
Boat-billed heron · Cochlearius cochlearius
Boat-billed herons are nocturnal specialists with a unique, boat-shaped bill and live shyly along dense riverbanks and in mangroves.
Fact file
- Size
- Body length 50 to 55 cm, stocky body with a conspicuously broad bill
- Males and females
- Males and females are hardly distinguishable, both sexes look the same
- Sounds
- Deep, muffled calls and soft growling sounds at night
- Diet
- Small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs and aquatic insects
- Offspring
- Clutch usually 2–4 eggs, incubation time about 3 weeks, chicks hatch naked and blind
How to identify Boat-billed heron
The boat-billed heron is striking because of its conspicuously broad, boat-shaped bill, which is black and looks like a scoop. Its plumage is grey-brown on the back, the breast and belly are paler to whitish, and the head often has a black cap. The large, dark eyes are typical and support its nocturnal lifestyle.
Adult boat-billed herons reach about 50 to 55 centimetres in height and look compact thanks to the strong bill and short neck. The unusual head shape is particularly noticeable in flight. Juvenile birds are paler and have less clearly defined markings. If you see herons, pay attention to the broad bill profile – this is the clearest distinguishing feature from other heron species, such as the black-crowned night heron.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- 2 places where you can see Boat-billed heron
Where Boat-billed heron live
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