Boat-billed Heron - Cochlearius cochlearius

Description

Boat-billed Heron *Cochlearius cochlearius zeledoni* [MLZ 13447](https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MLZ:Bird:13447) 16 March 1935 Estero Mescales, 5 mi N Teacapán Sinaloa, Mexico Collected by Chester C. Lamb for Robert T. Moore Physical specimen held by the Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA One of 64 heron and egret species in the family Ardeidae, and 1 of 20 genera. Because of its strange morphology, the Boat-billed Heron was formerly placed in its own family, but it is now considered an atypical member of the heron family Ardeidae. It is noctural, which explains its large eyes used for collecting light. It breeds semi-colonially in mangrove swamps. Boat-billed Herons use their large beaks to scoop the surface of the water at night in search of shrimp and small fish. The long, dark crest feathers are used in mating, with the male having longer crest feathers than the female.