Boat beak
| Boat beak | ||||||||||||
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Kahnschnabel ( Cochlearius cochlearius ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Cochlearius | ||||||||||||
| Brisson , 1760 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Cochlearius cochlearius | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1766) |
The Kahn beak ( Cochlearius cochlearius ) is within the family of Heron (Ardeidae) for monotypic genus Cochlearius .
description
The boat's beak reaches a size of 50 to 60 cm and a weight of 500 to 1,000 grams. Males become significantly larger and heavier than females . A striking feature is its quite large spring bonnet , which is colored black. The plumage is predominantly gray. The forehead, sides of the head and the throat area are white. The abdomen and leg fletching are greyish to brownish in color. For a species of the heron family, the boat's beak has an unusual beak shape . It is short and wide and therefore not suitable for poking around for prey . Its beak has the function of a scoop and is 8 cm long and 5 cm wide. As a nocturnal hunter, he has large eyes with which he can orientate himself excellently at night. Boat beaks are loners. Life expectancy is around 25 years.
distribution
The boat's beak occurs from Mexico to Brazil in all of Central and Northern South America . It prefers densely forested river banks and mangrove swamps .
food
Fish , crustaceans , insects , small amphibians , but also small mammals are the preferred food of the punt's beak.
Reproduction
The sexual maturity is reached at around 3 years. Depending on the distribution area , mating can take place all year round. Boat beaks live as solitary animals outside of courtship / brood. During the breeding season , however, they join together to form colonies . The male wears his bonnet during courtship. Another characteristic of courtship is the rattle of the beaks of both sexes . The nests are made of sticks at medium height on trees near the water. The female lays between 2 and 4 bluish eggs , which are incubated by both adult birds for 25–28 days. The eggs have an average weight of 35 grams.
literature
- James A. Kushlan & James A. Hancock: Herons . Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-19-854981-4
Web links
- Cochlearius cochlearius in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed January 30 of 2009.
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Cochlearius cochlearius in the Internet Bird Collection