Long Legged Waders

Green Heron

Butorides virescens
Green Heron thumbnail
Length: 18 in. (46 cm )
This small heron is solitary and often difficult to see in dense bushes and vegetation along rivers, ponds, marshes and lakes. It is most easily seen when it flies short distances across open water. It feeds by crouching low over the water on overhanging branches or from narrow muddy flats where it catches fish, insects, and other aquatic invertebrates. It has been seen swishing bread held in its bill in the water to attract and catch fish. The small inconspicuous twig nest is placed low in a shrub over the water.

The four-digit banding code is GRHE.

Male | Charles Kazilek


Marsh / swamp

Open water

Riparian / River forest
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View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Green Heron
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 6, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/green-heron

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Green Heron. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 6, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/green-heron

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Green Heron". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/green-heron

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Green Heron". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 6 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/green-heron

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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