THE GREEN HERON
The green heron is a dark, stocky bird characterized by its hunching posture and long, slender legs. It is often found at the water’s edge, where it tends to retreat behind a tangle of leaves to avoid being seen. This species is quite common in open areas of wetlands. One distinguishing feature is its harsh “skeow” call, which serves as a clue to its presence when it is disturbed from its perch along the shoreline.
Visually striking, the green heron has a velvet-green back, a chestnut-colored body, and a dark cap, which is often raised into a short crest. In flight, it is distinctive as well, with slow beats of its rounded wings that make it resemble a tailless crow. This bird is known for its patience, often crouching by the water’s edge to catch unsuspecting fish.
Interestingly, the green heron is one of the few bird species that uses tools. It employs fishing “lures” made from items such as bread crusts, insects, small twigs, or even feathers, dropping them on the water’s surface to attract small fish. The green heron is a reasonably long-lived species, with the oldest recorded individual living to approximately nine years.
