03.30.25: Heron up close

‍When I think of herons I always think of the long-limbed, long-necked varieties like the Great Blue Heron, the Tri-colored Heron or the Little Blue Heron. These birds are like the graceful, better-known supermodels of the heron world.

‍But that world also includes stocky, less graceful heron varieties like the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron or the Green Heron shown in this photo. Unlike their long-legged, long-necked cousins, these herons have shorter legs and are usually seen with their necks tucked into their bodies, which creates a hunchback appearance. Green Herons are 16 to 18 inches long, about the size of a large crow and much shorter than the Great Blue Heron that stands 40 to 55 inches tall.

‍I found this Green Heron resting on a log near the boardwalk that carries visitors above the swamp in Six Mile Cypress Slough in Fort Myers, Fla. The bird was aware of my presence — I could see its eye move occasionally to check what I was doing — but its body remained motionless as it scanned the surrounding swamp for potential meals.

‍From a distance Green Herons look all dark. But up close, as in this photo, the birds are a range of shades and colors, from the dark cap that is sometimes raised into a crest to the deep green back and the rich chestnut breast and neck. 

‍Green Herons are most often seen standing motionless at the water’s edge or atop floating vegetation as they hunt for fish and amphibians. They don’t wade as often as larger herons. 

‍The Green Heron is also one of the few bird species known to use tools when searching for food. The Green Heron will often create a  fishing lure using insects and feathers, then drop the lure on the water’s surface to attract small fish.