boat-billed heron
bird
Also known as: Cochlearius cochlearius, boatbill
Quick Summary
The boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) is a wading bird found in tropical America, related to night herons. It is distinguished by a broad, convex bill that resembles an overturned boat. Herons, in general, are long-legged wading birds with sharp, pointed bills, though the boat-billed heron's bill is adapted into a broad scoop for feeding. These birds typically feed in shallow waters, catching fish and other aquatic animals. The boat-billed heron is sometimes placed in its own family, Cochleariidae.123
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