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Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Description:

This is the third heron species I have seen in Aquatic Park. The other two are the Great Blue Heron and Black-Crowned Night Heron. This bird was the smallest of the three species.

Habitat:

Aquatic Park, Berkeley, CA.

Notes:

A small and stocky heron with dark plumage. Adults solid chestnut on neck and breast; juveniles streaked on neck. Wing feathers show distinct buff edges making for a sculpted look. Greenish-yellow cere; white mark below eye. Neck usually held compressed for a neckless look, but can be extended to great length. Legs yellow-green; reddish-orange during high breeding plumage. Eye bright yellow. Photomigrations.com

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6 Comments

misako
misako 12 years ago

@MelissaFerguson: Aquatic Park where I spotted the green heron definitely has a lot of people walking around. Good luck to you too and I look forward to seeing more of your spottings!

misako
misako 12 years ago

Thank you NicoleB!

MelissaFerguson
MelissaFerguson 12 years ago

Misako-Although they still keep a very watchful eye on you. I have noticed that they are less likely to fly away in areas where they are used to seeing people.The first one I saw was near our pond high in the pine trees and he was very skittish but the second one I saw was near a parking lot where there was a ditch that had over-filled from recent rains and it didn't seem to mind me at all! I wish you all the best in your photography and journalism with Project Noah!!

NicoleB
NicoleB 12 years ago

Beautiful!

misako
misako 12 years ago

Thank you Melissa! This is my first spotting of a Green Heron. I was amazed that it did not fly away when I started photographing it.

MelissaFerguson
MelissaFerguson 12 years ago

I love to watch the green heron 'fish'...this is an awesome photo!

misako
Spotted by
misako

Berkeley, California, USA

Spotted on Jan 9, 2012
Submitted on Jan 10, 2012

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