Boat-Billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

The Boat-Billed Heron is one of the most unusual of the family Ardeidae. Rare in captivity, the Boat-Bill is maintained by one zoo in the UK and a handful of European collections. The species is distinctive due to its broad bill, that it uses to scoop up food.

 

Identification

Small night-heron with black cap and white forehead, cheeks and breast. It has grey wings and a black belly. Juvenile birds are predominantly a light mottled brown with a darker brown cap and wings (see picture above).

 

Distribution

Central Mexico south to Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina.

 

Habitat

Edges of mangrove swamps, rivers and lakes in thick cover close to water.

 

Breeding

Various displays including bill clapping, crest raising and tail rocking. Also chanting and whistling, often in unison with other birds.

 

Nests in small bushes; singly or in colonies. Two to four  pale blue eggs are produced. The chicks are fed predominantly at night.

 

Food

Hunts for small fish, shrimps, insects and crabs, often probing muddy water or leaf litter, with its sensitive bill.

 

We currently maintain two pairs of Boat-Billed Herons within our collection.