Watching birds from our backyard/backdoor is becoming quite interesting. Our latest visitor to the water’s edge is this Green Heron. He caught our attention again this morning while we were having breakfast. Of course, by the time I got my camera on, he flew off. The Joys and Disapointments of birdwatching. These photos are cropped so that you can see him better. These were taken a few days ago.
Green Heron 6-9-20 by Lee Cropped
And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Leviticus 11:19)
What is so amazing about this sighting is how hard we have searched for them on birdwatching trips. Green Herons (Butorides virescens) are known to be secretive, and because of their colors, stay well hidden in the mangroves and other bushes along the water. When we spot “Greenies” on a trip, it is usally one of our highlights.
“Compared with most herons, Green Herons are short and stocky, with relatively short legs and thick necks that are often drawn up against their bodies. They have broad, rounded wings and a long, daggerlike bill. They sometimes raise their crown feathers into a short crest.” All About Birds – Size & Shape
Green Heron 6-9-20 by Lee Cropped
Interesting Fact from Wikipedia: “Green herons are one of the few species of bird known to use tools. In particular, they commonly use bread crusts, insects, or other items as bait. The bait is dropped onto the surface of a body of water in order to lure fish. When a fish takes the bait, the green heron will then grab and eat the fish. When green herons catch large frogs, they will drown them before swallowing them whole.
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)
I posted this video back in 2013, and thought you might enjoy it again.
“Color Pattern – From a distance Green Herons look all dark. In better light they are deep green on the back with a rich chestnut breast and neck. The wings are dark gray. Juveniles are browner, with pale streaking on the neck and spots on the wings.” All About Birds
Green Heron 6-9-20 by Lee Cropped
Here is a previous photo taken at Flamingo Gardens, Florida several years ago. That is the way you normally find them. Not out in the open like our current one.
Green Heron at Flamingo Gardens by Lee
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
Very cool! I was very excited recently to get my first yard Green Heron of the year.
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My sighting wasn’t “exactly” in my yard, but very close. :)
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Amazing footage of the Heron catching and swallowing the fish. This Heron looks and acts like our Striated Heron.
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In my prep for the post, it said the Straited and Green Herons were closely related. “Green-backed Herons”. Patient Heron for sure. :)
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Lee, Interesting. I’ve taken it upon myself to study the species, and I’ve found that Green Herons are a lot more “out there” than many people realize. They may be small and dark and nest in dense foliage, but I always manage to find them and see them (and photograph them, too). Good luck!
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They’re out there all right, yet they normally hide from us. I admit that they are easier to find than Bitterns. :) Thanks for commenting.
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The few Green Herons that show up in my regular birding patch are rarely out in the open, and are usually only seen after I flush them out unawares. Beautiful birds, probably one of my favorite herons. They are always a treat to see.
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That is so true. Sometimes like finding a needle in a haystack. That is what was so surprising by this find.
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Amazing Green Heron! Enjoyed watching him use bait to catch a serious fish! Thanks, Lee.
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It is amazing of how the Creator makes sure His critters were created.
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