Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi (Linnaeus, 1766))
Scientific name: Ardea cocoi (Linnaeus, 1766)
Common name: Cocoi Heron
French name: Héron cocoi
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Size: Body size: 95–127 cm; Weight: 1.5–2.5 kg; Wingspan: 1.80 m.
Habitat: Rivers, marshes and lakes with fresh water.
Food: Fishes, reptiles, amphibians and small invertebrates caught while slowly walking in shallow water or standing immobile in wait.
Nesting: The nest, made of interlaced twigs, is located among high grasses or in a shrub on the banks of a lake or pond or in a meadow. There are 3 to 5 eggs per clutch.
Migration: Sedentary. The southernmost birds move northwards during the austral winter.
Geographic area: South America, to the foot of the Andes on the east side and on a thin Pacific coastal band on the west side.
The Cocoi Heron is the largest heron in South America.
The upper side of the head is black and extends to the bottom of the eyes. The neck and chest are white. The nape is covered by long black feathers.
The upper side and the wings are grey. There is a black patch on the shoulder. The thighs are white.
The underside, the legs and feet are black.
The bill is yellow. The base of the upper mandible is greyish. The lores (area between eye and bill) are blue.
During the breeding season, the bill turns to a golden colour with a reddish base and the legs become pinkish.
Females are similar to males.

Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) - French Guiana, France - March 13th 2012
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Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
I have shot this picture at the Marshes of Caw.


Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) - French Guiana, France - March 13th 2012
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Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
This Cocoi Heron is perched on Moco-Moco (Montrichardia arborescens) bordering the marshes.


Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) - French Guiana, France - March 13th 2012
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Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
Closer view.


Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) - French Guiana, France - March 13th 2012
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Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
Cocoi Herons are beautiful birds, easy to observe, but which have always kept a security distance from our boat.


Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) - French Guiana, France - March 13th 2012
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Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
In flight.

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