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Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Photo by misako
Published on Project Noah
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37.8658, -122.303

Field Notes

Description:

This is the third heron species I have seen in Aquatic Park. The other two are the Great Blue Heron and Black-Crowned Night Heron. This bird was the smallest of the three species.

Habitat:

Aquatic Park, Berkeley, CA.

Notes:

A small and stocky heron with dark plumage. Adults solid chestnut on neck and breast; juveniles streaked on neck. Wing feathers show distinct buff edges making for a sculpted look. Greenish-yellow cere; white mark below eye. Neck usually held compressed for a neckless look, but can be extended to great length. Legs yellow-green; reddish-orange during high breeding plumage. Eye bright yellow.
Photomigrations.com

Reference Links:

Green Heron, Species Profile: Green Heron by Richard Ditch

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
misako
@MelissaFerguson: Aquatic Park where I spotted the green heron definitely has a lot of people walking around. Good luck to you too and I look forward to seeing more of your spottings!
MelissaFerguson
Misako-Although they still keep a very watchful eye on you. I have noticed that they are less likely to fly away in areas where they are used to seeing people.The first one I saw was near our pond high in the pine trees and he was very skittish but the second one I saw was near a parking lot where there was a ditch that had over-filled from recent rains and it didn't seem to mind me at all! I wish you all the best in your photography and journalism with Project Noah!!
misako
Thank you Melissa! This is my first spotting of a Green Heron. I was amazed that it did not fly away when I started photographing it.
MelissaFerguson
I love to watch the green heron 'fish'...this is an awesome photo!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
California Coastal Wildlife Watch
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Birds of the World
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Global Flight

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJanuary 10, 2012

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