Green Heron

Butorides virescens 
Heron family (Ardeidae)

Much smaller than Great Blue Heron, 14” tall, 25” wingspan. Compact shape, greenish back, reddish-brown neck and chest, short yellow legs. Looks short-necked because it holds its head close to its body.

Habitat:
Shores and water edges with dense vegetation.

Nesting:
Nests in small colonies. Nest of sticks, placed in tree. Eggs are pale blue-green.

Voice:

“Skow” call is given when flushed and in flight.

Name Origin:

Butorides:  butio, Latin for “bittern”; eidos, Greek for “resembling”;
virescens, Latin for “growing or becoming green”.

In the Nature Park:
Year-round resident. Less common than Great Blue Herons and equally shy, easily flushed from foraging areas along the edge of the Quarry Pond.

Photos: