Critter of the Month

The GREEN HERON is a small heron of North and Central America. The green heron was originally named such for it's color although it's green plumage is not always visible since the 'green' feathers on it's back are iridescent and often appear black or dark blue.

A small and stocky bird, crow-sized heron with a daggerlike bill and thick neck which they often draw in towards their body. Green Herons have relatively short legs when compared to other heron species. They have broad, rounded wings with a 'crown' of feathers they can raise when alarmed or excited.

Green Herons stand motionless at the water's edge as they hunt for small fish and amphibians. They typically stand on vegetation and don't wade like other herons. Green Herons live around wooded ponds, marshes, rivers, reservoirs and estuaries. They are common breeders in these coastal and inland wetlands.

Green herons spend the winter in southern coastal regions of their range and in marine and freshwater habitats throughout Mexico and Central America. In those tropical regions they are a common site in mangrove swamps.

Green herons mainly eat small fish but also feed on insects, snails, spiders, amphibians, small rodents and reptiles.