If the picture does not appear, refresh the
page. |
| Green Heron |
| Description |
Dark greenish body; crested head, blue green
back; rusty-red neck; short greenish-yellow legs.(2) |
| Located |
The habitat of the Green Heron is small
wetlands in low-lying areas. The species is most conspicuous
during dusk and dawn; these birds are nocturnal rather than
diurnal, preferring to retreat to sheltered areas in daytime.
(1) |
| In Florida |
Year round |
| Diet |
They mainly eat small fish, frogs and aquatic
arthropods, but may take any invertebrate or vertebrate prey
they can catch, including such animals like leeches and mice.
They typically stand still on shore or in shallow water or perch
upon branches and await prey. (1) |
| Behaviors |
Stands still next to water and grabs small
fish with explosive dart of head and neck. One of the few birds
that uses bait to attract fish, it drops such things as bread
crusts, insects, and twigs onto the water(3)--making
them one of the few known tool-using species. Forages in swamps,
along creeks and streams, in marshes, ponds, lake edges, and
pastures. |
| Breeding |
Nest a basket of sticks, placed in small tree
or shrub, usually over water. Nests in small, loose colonies.
Breeds in swampy thickets. (3) |
| Personal Experience |
We've seen them in the backwaters of the
barrier islands such as the backwaters on the west side of
Anclote Key; be very still at dusk or dawn and watch the
shoreline. |
|
