Green Heron
The Green Herons that you are about to see in todays pictures are from different parts of West Florida.
Young hatchling Green Heron
The Green Heron is relatively small. The neck is often pulled in tight against the body. Adults have a glossy, greenish-black cap, a greenish back and wings that are grey-black grading into green or blue, a chestnut neck with a white line down the front, grey underparts and short yellow legs. The bill is dark with a long, sharp point. Female adults tend to be smaller than males, and have duller and lighter plumage, particularly in the breeding season. Juveniles are duller, with the head sides, neck and underparts streaked brown and white, tan-splotched back and wing coverts, and greenish-yellow legs and bill. Hatchlings are covered in down feathers, light grey above, and white on the belly.
It’s a rather shy bird that keeps a low profile and mind its own business, keeps away from confrontations with other birds. They are not gregarious birds, they tend to be alone., not in groups.
They mainly eat small fish, frogs and aquatic arthropods, but may take any invertebrate or vertebrate prey they can catch, including such animals like leeches and mice.
Click on images to see enlargements
Text and photographs are © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
I so wish I had your knowledge!
There’s nothing that you can not learn yourself. Thanks Julie! 🙂
I saw one of those in Mexico, stalking Koi carp in the hotel’s water garden, lovely bird. (unless you own the Koi that is)
It’s possible, I’ve seen Great Blue Herons doing that! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
Fantastic shots. These are some of the best bird photos I have seen!! Well done~
Thank you D.! 🙂
The green herons near me always blend so well into the woodsy stream banks, so it’s always a treat to spot one. But I especially like that picture of a young hatchling. I’ve never seen one before.
They eat during the day but they are nocturnal birds. Thanks for sharing Scott! 🙂
The Green Heron is very interesting H.J. I’ve never seen one before. Glad I got to see your photos of one.
I’m glad to, this way when you see one you’ll id it right away! Thanks BD! 🙂
Sweet HJ!
Thank you Donna! 🙂
another serie of amazing shots HJ, thanks for sharing all your knowledge!
Thank you Joanna! 🙂