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Green Heron Fledgling

(Butorides virescens)

Description:

Juveniles are duller, with the head sides, neck and underparts streaked brown and white, tan-splotched back and wing coverts, and greenish-yellow legs and bill.

Habitat:

The habitat of the Green Heron is small wetlands in low-lying areas. The species is most conspicuous during dusk and dawn, and if anything these birds are nocturnal rather than diurnal, preferring to retreat to sheltered areas in daytime. They feed actively during the day, however, if hungry or provisioning young. Shore-living individuals adapt to the rhythm of the tides. 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. Green Herons are intolerant of other birds - including conspecifics - when feeding and are not seen to forage in groups. They typically stand still on shore or in shallow water or perch upon branches and await prey. Sometimes they drop food, insects, or other small objects on the water's surface to attract fish, making them one of the few known tool-using species. This feeding method has led some to title the green and closely related Striated Heron as among the world's most intelligent birds. They are able to hover briefly to catch prey.]

Notes:

I could have confused this with a least bittern but it showed me a glimpse of the crest on its head to me ,on and off!

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2 Comments

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 12 years ago

Thnx pyoung! These birds are adorable!!

p.young713
p.young713 12 years ago

These are some great photos, Emma!! I like the information you provided too!

HemaShah
Spotted by
HemaShah

Walnut Creek, California, USA

Spotted on Aug 30, 2011
Submitted on Aug 30, 2011

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Reference

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