Green
Herons are less gregarious heron than most, and at times, are quite shy and
difficult to approach. Green Herons are generally solitary, nesting as
isolated pairs or small groups, never in the large breeding colonies of
other herons and egrets.
Habitat: Can
be found in nearly any aquatic habitat, but prefers small water bodies with both
dense emergent vegetation and open water.
Diet: Mostly small
fish. Also crustaceans, frogs, tadpoles, insects, and small rodents.
Behavior: Primarily forages by standing perfectly
still, and striking when prey moves within range. Will also walk
slowly through the shallows in search of food.
Nesting: May and June
Song: Crisp skeeow
in flight. Can also give a low irregular series of clucking notes.
Migration: Summers throughout most of the eastern half of the United States, near the West
Coast, and in scattered locations elsewhere in the West. Winters near the
U.S. West Coast, the Gulf Coast, Mexico, Central America, and South
America. Some southern and western populations in the United States are
permanent residents.
Status: Populations
generally stable to increasing. May be increasing its range to the north
and west.
South Dakota "Hotspot": The Madison Waterfowl Production Area, just to the west of Lake Madison, is a
wonderful place to see these sometimes shy birds out in the open. Water in
the WPA is generally very uniformly shallow, allowing Green Herons to forage
well away from the shoreline vegetation which often hides there presence.
In the spring, late summer and early fall, it is also a wonderful location for
viewing Great Egrets, American
White Pelicans, various shorebirds,
Common and Forster's
Terns, Franklin's
and Bonaparte's
Gulls, Great Blue Herons, and the
occasional Snowy Egret.
2)
Cornell University's "All About Birds - Green Heron"
3)
eNature.com:
Green Heron
Photo Information: July 13th, 2008 - Lincoln
County, South Dakota - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or
text links below for additional, higher-resolution Green Heron photos.
