National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Klamath Network Featured Creature November 2013 Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

fish, insects, spiders, Atlantic coast into South crustaceans, snails, amphibians, Carolina. Green Herons are reptiles and rodents. widely dispersed and common, the largest threat to these birds Behavior: is habitat loss through the Green herons stalk prey by destruction and development of standing still or walking slowly wetlands. in shallow water with thick Interesting Fact:  Pierre Howard vegetation. When prey The green heron is known to approaches the heron will dart use objects such as twigs, General Description: Found in and grasp or spear prey with feathers, or insects to lure small stalking sheltered edges of its sharp and heavy bill. Herons fish to the surface. This freshwater bodies, the green hunt at all times of day or night, behavior makes the green heron heron may first appear to be a in shallow brackish water, one of the few bird species that non-descript little bird. Seen in generally avoiding habitat uses tools! the light however, they have frequented by longer-legged deep green to blue-grey back herons. Where to Find in the Klamath and wings, a dark crested head, Network Parks: with a rich chestnut breast and Butorides virescens can be found in neck, and yellow to orange legs. Redwood National and State Juveniles are understated, with Parks, Whiskeytown National brown and cream streaks and Recreation Area, Lava Beds spots. The green heron is more National Monument, and is compact than other herons. probably present in Lassen They have shorter legs, broad Volcanic National Park. rounded wings, and a sharp bill.

References and Further Habitat and Ecology: Juvenile green heron  Pierre Howard Reading: Green herons nest along wet http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/g habitats in secluded areas with Distribution: reenheron.htm trees and shrubs for cover. Green Herons can be found Breeding sites can be swamps, throughout most of the eastern http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/g marshes, lakes, ponds, and even US during the breeding season. reen_heron/lifehistory - at_habitat dry sites as long as there is water The western breeding range nearby for feeding. Winters are extends from British Colombia spent in southern range coastal south through California and areas, as well as throughout into Arizona, overwintering in Mexico and Central America. Coastal California, along the Green Herons feed on small Gulf coast and east along the