Boat-billed heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

The boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), colloquially known as the boatbill, is an atypical member of the heron family.

Family: heron Order: Pelecaniformes Conservation: Least Concern
Boat-billed heron

About the Boat-billed heron

The boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), colloquially known as the boatbill, is an atypical member of the heron family. It is the only member of the genus Cochlearius and was formerly placed in a monotypic family, the Cochleariidae. It lives in mangrove swamps from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil. It is a nocturnal bird, and breeds semi-colonially in mangrove trees, laying two to four bluish-white eggs in a twig nest.

Fun Facts About Boat-billed heron

  • It is a nocturnal bird, and breeds semi-colonially in mangrove trees, laying two to four bluish-white eggs in a twig nest.
  • It lives in mangrove swamps from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil.
  • It is the only member of the genus Cochlearius and was formerly placed in a monotypic family, the Cochleariidae.

Conservation Status

The Boat-billed heron is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

OrderPelecaniformes
Familyheron
GenusCochlearius
SpeciesCochlearius cochlearius

Range & Habitat

Range map of Boat-billed heron

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Related Species

Other species in the heron family: