Learn More
Get Involved
Green Heron

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Wetland, Coastal
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)

A dark, crow-sized heron with a blue back and wings, chestnut neck with a white line down the front, black cap, and short yellow-orange legs. This small bird does not look much like a heron. It typically stands very still at the water’s edge and waits to ambush its prey, sometimes dropping food on the water’s surface to attract fish.

Diet

Mainly fish and invertebrates

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
→
Phylum: Chordata
→
Class: Aves
→
Order: Pelecaniformes
→
Family: Ardeidae
→
Genus: Butorides
→
Species: Butorides virescens

Scientific Name

Butorides virescens
Breeding Season
Generally March-July

Behavior

Green herons are shy birds so are rarely observed, although they may be quite common. They are active during the day. They have a characteristic slow, deliberate walk and in flight they have slow and steady wingbeats. They may also swim on occasion in pursuit of prey.

Ecological Role

Green herons are important predators of fish and invertebrates in the aquatic ecosystems where they live.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Wetland
Coastal

Geographic Distribution

Green herons have a wide range in North America, but are generally found near wetlands. They occur as far north as southern Canada and as far south as northern South America. They are found throughout the eastern United States as far west as North Dakota and the Great Plains states, although some sedentary populations occur on the west coast. During the breeding season they are found primarily in the eastern United States, with some populations in the Pacific Northwest as well.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

Contribute Your Observations

Have you spotted this species? Your observations help us track populations and understand behavior patterns.

Submit an Observation

Video

Watch Video