- Ardea cocoi
Identification
95–127 cm (37½-50 in)
- Grey upperparts
- Black underparts
- White neck
- Black crown
- Long legs
Distribution
Very widespread in lowlands of South America: breeds from eastern Panama, Colombia and Venezuela south to about 50° S in Chile and Argentina, rarely south to Straits of Magellan. Resident but southern birds may move north in winter.
Has also occurred as a vagrant on the Falkland Islands and Gough Island.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Found around lakes, in swamps and along rivers and near forests sometimes estuaries. Observed at heights around 260m.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet consists mostly of fish, frogs and aquatic insects.
Breeding
They nest in colonies and alone. The nest is built in trees and bushes. The 3 light blue, white spotted eggs are incubated for 24-26 days.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved January 2016)
- damisela.com
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Cocoi Heron. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cocoi_Heron
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
