2015 Bonanza Bird #23: Boat-billed Heron

Birdorable Boat-billed Heron

Boat-billed Herons are medium-sized herons found in parts of Central and South America. They live in mangrove forests and feed on a wide variety of food items, including tidal fare like shrimp, insects, and fish.

The Boat-billed Heron is named for its large and wide scoop-like bill. The top of the bill resembles the underside of a boat. The species is also known simply as the Boatbill.

Boat-billed Herons are known for their courtship rituals. Pair-bonding displays include mock fighting, head crest raising and lowering, and bill duels.

Boat-billed Heron
Photo by Amir Matityahu (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Photo by Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Tomorrow's bird is a wildly plumaged chicken-sized bird endemic to Borneo. Males have bright blue facial wattles. Can you guess what it is?

Cute Boat-billed Heron Gifts

Comments

ƲσƖcαяσηα ウルガモス (White-throated Sparrow) on December 23, 2015 at 6:10 PM wrote:
Nicee, missed last bird o3o Bornean Crested Fireback?
Louise Warner on February 25, 2017 at 9:32 AM wrote:
tomorrow's bird will be a owl?
Louise Warner on February 27, 2017 at 7:33 AM wrote:
something pheasant?
Louise Warner on February 27, 2017 at 7:34 AM wrote:
bulwer's pheasant?
Louise Warner on March 17, 2017 at 10:16 AM wrote:
yeah, I'm still thinking it's a bulwer's pheasant!
Harpy Eagle on July 3, 2017 at 4:38 AM wrote:
Boaty looks a bit like Black-crowned night heron
Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 7:20 AM wrote:
He dont let his beak other him they call him Big Bill he ignores the Insults
sabine's gull on September 7, 2024 at 4:53 AM wrote:
definitely a bulwer's pheasant

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