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Green Heron

Butorides VirescensOrder: CICONIIFORMESFamily: Bitterns, Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)

Breeding Location:

Lakes, Marshes, freshwater, Swamps, Streams, upland, Rivers



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Stable and common



Egg Color:

Pale green or blue green



Number of Eggs:

2 - 7



Incubation Days:

19 - 25



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Sticks and twigs.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Green Heron: Small heron with gray-green upperparts. Head, neck, upper breast are chestnut-brown, belly is paler brown. Head has green-black cap with small crest. Throat is white and neck has white central stripe. Bill is two-toned with dark upper mandible and yellow lower mandible. Direct flight.

Range and Habitat

Green Heron: Breeds across most of the U.S.; spends winters in the southern U.S. south to Venezuela, Panama, and the West Indies. Preferred habitats include shoreline habitats along rivers, oceans, lakes, and ponds.

Breeding and Nesting

Green Heron: Two to seven pale green or blue green eggs are laid in a flat nest made of sticks and leaves, usually built in a tree near water 10 to 15 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 19 to 21 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Green Heron: Diet consists of frogs, fish, snails, tadpoles, crayfish, crabs, crickets, dragonflies, water bugs, small snakes, and mice. Stands motionless with head cocked and neck extended waiting for prey; sometimes dives into the water to catch fish.

Vocalization

Green Heron: Song is a sharp, croaking "qua qua"; utters a piercing shriek when disturbed.

Similar Species

Green Heron: Little Blue Heron is larger and lacks brown head and neck.

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Family Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)_blue
Species Butorides Virescens
Length18 - 22 Inches
Wingspan26 Inches

Green Heron

Green Heron: Small heron with gray-green upperparts. Head, neck, upper breast are chestnut-brown, belly is paler brown. Head has green-black cap with small crest. Throat is white and neck has white central stripe. Bill is two-toned with dark upper mandible and yellow lower mandible. Direct flight.

● Song: "qua qua"

● Foraging & Feeding: Green Heron: Diet consists of frogs, fish, snails, tadpoles, crayfish, crabs, crickets, dragonflies, water bugs, small snakes, and mice. Stands motionless with head cocked and neck extended waiting for prey; sometimes dives into the water to catch fish.

● Breeding & nesting: Green Heron: Two to seven pale green or blue green eggs are laid in a flat nest made of sticks and leaves, usually built in a tree near water 10 to 15 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 19 to 21 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Green Heron: Little Blue Heron is larger and lacks brown head and neck.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with slow steady arched wing beats.
Green Heron Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Green Heron: Breeds across most of the U.S.; spends winters in the southern U.S. south to Venezuela, Panama, and the West Indies. Preferred habitats include shoreline habitats along rivers, oceans, lakes, and ponds.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationStable and common
MigrationSome migrate
Weight7.5 Ounces