Green heron: an enterprising hunter

Along the shore of area waterways and rivers can be found a curious crow-sized bird with long legs and a long bill. It can be seen perching on the shore or in trees. When not in the open, it can blend into the background, making it easy to miss. Meet the green heron.

The green heron (Butorides virescens) is found in the region along rivers and lakes or wetlands. This bird gets its name from its dark green crown, back and wings. The green can appear grey, depending on the lighting. This species is somewhat dimorphic, with the females appearing slightly duller. Immature herons appear more brown, with striped mottling under the neck and belly. Green herons are much smaller (about 18 inches tall) than the great blue heron, and do not have the long, narrow neck of a blue heron.

When foraging, the green heron prefers to find a rock or low hanging branch and perch motionless over the water, where it will wait for prey. What makes this bird unique is that it will sometimes use bait to attract fish within striking distance of its long bill. It will drop twigs or insects into the water to lure a fish close enough so that it can lunge its head forward and snatch the hapless fish out of the water.

When cold weather comes, the green heron migrates south to the southern United States, Mexico, or the Caribbean, and returns to our region in the spring to breed.