Boatbill
| Boatbill | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Cochlearius cochlearius (Linnaeus, 1766) |
The Boatbill, Cochlearius cochlearius, is an odd bird related to the herons. It derives its name from its broad scoop-like bill.
It lives in mangrove swamps from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil.
It is nocturnal, and nests in trees, laying 2-4 eggs.
The Boatbill makes up one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes, which also includes other wading bird groups:
Ciconiiformes
However, it is also often considered to be a heron in the family Ardeidae, rather than being given family status.