Green Heron (GRHE)

Identification

The Green Heron is a medium-sized bird with long bright orange or yellow legs and an elongated black bill that comes to a sharp point. The bird has long toes, as it is a marsh dweller, and a neck that can stretch out almost the entire length of its body. Male Green Herons have a bright russet neck with a long white stripe down the throat, and a pale gray or olive colored body. The feathers on top of the back and wings are a shimmery blue and purple streaked with brown. Their primaries and secondaries are a deep navy blue, as are the very short tail feathers. Both males and females possess bright yellow or orange eyes, which contrasts with the deep blue crest on the top of their heads, which males will occasionally unfold.

Males and females appear virtually identical, except for the females having a generally duller appearance, and not having as many noticeable shades of blue and purple on their body. The white throat stripes are also much thinner or duller in females and juveniles. When courting, males will puff out their neck and head plumage, and noisily flap around or after the female. They circle, dangle their legs, and make as much noise as possible through excessive wing-beating and beak-clicking.

Listen to its songs and calls here.