Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius panamensis)

24 January 2009, CATIE Botanical Garden, Costa Rica This was another digiscoping challenge with intervening branches and poor light. We were pleased to find over a dozen of these ungainly and unique herons roosting in a large tree over the pond. The tree was mostly festooned with Cattle Egrets, but these dark hulking birds could be seen deep in the interior shade. They are largely nocturnal and we did not see them active during our visit. Many appeared to be dozing with their eyes covered with a nictitating membrane. The enormous eyes attest to their nocturnal habits. Their plumage and compact shape recall Night-Herons, but their unique outsized bill and eyes are so different that early authors placed it in its own family, Cochleariidae, separate from the typical herons. The huge bill is used as a scoop, a behavior unique to the herons and reminiscent of the African Shoebill. Despite it's similarity to Night-Herons, genetic data suggests it is closer to Tigrisoma, the Tiger-Herons. Five races are recognized. This is C. c. panamensis which is the darkest subspecies. Some authors split birds ranging north into Mexico into a separate species, but evidence for such a split is poor. Panasonic Lumix LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)