Meadow & Feather

Birds › Lake and wetland › Green Heron

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

One of the few birds that uses tools: it drops bread, insects or feathers on the water as bait to lure fish.

Where to see it for real: Look for it crouched low at the edge of shady ponds and streams.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the Lake and wetland habitat (North American lakes and marshes).

Green Heron, Butorides virescens
Photo: Josiah Londerée, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist. Cut out from the original photo.

Green Heron facts

Family
Herons and egrets
Length
17 in (44 cm)
Wingspan
26 in (66 cm)
Weight
7.4 oz (210 g)
Diet
Small fish, frogs and insects.
Range
Eastern and western United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Nest
A platform of sticks in a tree or shrub near water.
Song
A loud, sharp "skeow" when flushed.
Active
at dawn, by day and at dusk
Status
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Green Heron sounds like

Recording 1: Audrey Plassio, CC BY-SA 4.0, original on xeno-canto. Trimmed and cleaned of low background noise.
Recording 2: John Matthew Erickson, CC BY 4.0, original on iNaturalist. Trimmed and cleaned of low background noise.

More: bird songs and calls.

More birds of the lake and wetland

Great Blue HeronGreat Blue HeronLake and wetlandGreat EgretGreat EgretLake and wetlandBelted KingfisherBelted KingfisherLake and wetlandWood DuckWood DuckLake and wetlandMallardMallardLake and wetlandCanada GooseCanada GooseLake and wetland

Spot the Green Heron yourself

Free in your browser. Put out the right food in the lake and wetland and wait.

Play free