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Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Description:

Juvenile male. The Green Heron is relatively small; adult body length is about 44 cm (17 in). The neck is often pulled in tight against the body. Adults have a glossy, greenish-black cap, a greenish back and wings that are grey-black grading into green or blue, a chestnut neck with a white line down the front, grey underparts and short yellow legs. The bill is dark with a long, sharp point. Female adults tend to be smaller than males, and have duller and lighter plumage, particularly in the breeding season. 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. Hatchlings are covered in down feathers, light grey above, and white on the belly.

Habitat:

Large pond near a deciduous forest. Cleveland Metroparks System, North Chagrin Reservation, Mayfield, Ohio Cuyahoga County USA.

Notes:

I had so many great shots it was difficult to pick which to post. In the first two he was enjoying a tadpole he had just caught. In shot #4 he was eyeing the damselflie and dragonflies that were overhead. In shot #5 he was stalking a damselfly and caught it moments after I took the photo. In shot #6 he was stalking some unseen prey.

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1 Comment

jeslowery
jeslowery 9 years ago

Cool series. Consider adding it to our new mission - http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1279...

Phil_S
Spotted by
Phil_S

Ohio, USA

Spotted on Aug 17, 2013
Submitted on Aug 20, 2013

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