Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

• HABITAT - Green Herons live in freshwater wetlands, ponds, rivers and stream where shorelines are thick with vegetation. In winter, they frequent coastal areas and mangrove swamps.
• DIET - Green Herons are opportunistic feeders but their primary food is definitely fish. Crayfish and other crustaceans are also a source of food, as are aquatic insects, frogs, grasshoppers, snakes, and rodents.
• Green Herons like to hunt from thr shorelines or from floating debris or vegetation. When prey approaches, the heron lunges and darts its head, grasping (or sometimes spearing) the prey with its heavy bill. The image below show how far the neck of the Green Heron can stretch. They don't wade in the water as much as other herons.
• FACTS - Green herons are one of the few species of bird known to use tools. They use bait to attract fish. Commonly use items include bread crusts, insects, worm, feather or other items as bait. The bait is dropped onto the surface of a body of water in order to lure fish. When a fish takes the bait, the green heron will then grab the fish.
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