Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith and Marianella Velilla and is used with their permission.
BOAT-BILLED HERON Cochlearius cochlearius
Aptly-named for the massive "boat-shaped" bill, this rarely seen and somewhat nocturnal heron has confused taxonomists for decades. So distinctive is its bill that it was at one time placed in its own family Cochlearidae. However similarities in plumage with the Black-crowned Night-Heron and in certain behavioural characteristics mean that today it is considered to be a typical heron with an atypical beak!!
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE175PH) Adult, Reserva Natural Estrella, Río Apa, Departamento Concepción (Marianela Velilla December 2007).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE176PH) Subadult, Isla Yacyreta, Departamento Misiones (Paul Smith September 2010).
VIDEO - (FPAVE177VI) Same subadult as (FPAVE176PH) (Paul Smith September 2010).
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2