Today's featured feathered friend is the Green Heron. Unlike larger herons who hunt and feed in open areas, Green Herons tend to be at the edges, in shallow water or concealed in vegetation. On many occasions we've walked past a Green Heron only to look back and find one perched motionless in dense mangroves. They stare intently into the water, waiting patiently for their prey. They will drop items into the water to attract fish, making them one of the world's few "tool-using" animals.
Green Herons are small, stocky herons with short legs, large heads and long bills. They have long, thick necks that are only seen when striking at food. Usually the neck is retracted giving them a crouched appearance. Males and females are similar with dark iridescent bluish green crowns and backs. Their necks and breasts are reddish brown with white streaking. Their feet are pale yellow, turning bright reddish orange during breeding. They are 19 inches long with a 27 inch wingspan and weigh about eight ounces.
Green Herons are year-round Florida residents. In the summer they can be found anywhere in the U.S., east of the Rocky Mountains. They are also common along the Pacific Coast and have been known to wander as far as Hawaii. Enjoy these photos of the resourceful Green Heron.....tweet.....tweet!!
 |
| (Taken 1/2/13, Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville FL) |
 |
| (Taken 1/14/13, The Rookery, Venice FL) |
 |
| Green Heron ready to strike. (Taken 1/1/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL) |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Heron
No comments:
Post a Comment