BOAT-BILLED HERON Cochlearius cochlearius

Although seemingly related to Nycticorax Night-Herons and superficially similar to Black-crowned, the bill of this species sets it apart, and they are not in fact closely related. Found from Central to the northern half of South America, it is crepuscular and nocturnal, hence the poor photo taken in Brazil. Costa Rica turned up a bird at its daytime roost, enabling much better shots, it is a different race to the Brazilian bird.

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