This heron is common and widespread throughout most of South America.
It is a non-breeding visitor to Trinidad and Tobago and a vagrant to the Falkland Islands and Tristan da Cunha.
Its natural habitats are rivers, swamps, and freshwater lakes.
It can measure 95–127 cm (37–50 in) in length, stand up to 100–130 cm (39–51 in) in height and weigh 1.14–3.2 kg (2.5–7.1).
Its markings are not dissimilar to a grey heron's, but it is darker with a longer neck and crest.
It has a bright orange beak and dull orange legs, and whilst perched holds its neck in an S shape characteristic of all herons.
In flight, it is slow and graceful but appears scrawny due to its neck and large wings.
The cocoi heron is extremely similar to its North American and European counterparts, the great blue heron and grey heron, with which it forms a superspecies.
Reference: Wikipedia