The Boatbill reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Boatbill

Boatbill
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Cochlearidae Genus: Cochlearius Species: cochlearius
Binomial name
Cochlearius cochlearius (Linnaeus, 1766)

The Boatbill, Cochlearius cochlearius, is an odd bird related to the herons. It derives its name from its broad scoop-like bill.

It lives in mangrove swamps from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil.

It is nocturnal, and nests in trees, laying 2-4 eggs.

The Boatbill makes up one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes, which also includes other wading bird groups:

Ciconiiformes

• Ardeidae herons and bitterns
• Cochlearidae: Boatbill
• Balaenicipitidae Shoebill
• Scopidae Hammerkop
• Ciconiidae: storks
• Threskiornithidae ibises and spoonbills
• Phoenicopteridae flamingos

However, it is also often considered to be a heron in the family Ardeidae, rather than being given family status.

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