Bird Gallery Index

Green Heron image © Wayne Nicholas

Family:  (Ardeidae) Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Preferred Habitat:  Woodland streams, ponds, marshes

Seasonal Occurrence:  Abundant March through October; occasional in winter

Notes:  The Green Heron is a small, chunky heron about the size of a crow. Its plumage is a combination of dark forest green on the crown and back with a chestnut neck. Its legs are a vivid orange and are particularly striking in flight. Immatures are steaked with brown and white. The Green Heron is a solitary hunter of frogs, fish and other aquatic life. It often perches in trees. Because of its small size, it may be found around bodies of water that are too small to support most herons. Green Herons are common at Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary where they are usually seen in the large pond or around Rummel Creek. This is also one of the best areas to look for them in winter when they are not easily found.
- Susan Billetdeaux