18 inches long with a 26 inch wingspan. The Green Heron is a relatively small wading bird with a short neck and short dull yellow legs which become bright orange in breeding males.The Green Heron has a glossy greenish-black cap and back with blue-gray wings. The adult has a white chin and a chestnut neck with a white stripe down the center. Immature birds have reddish-brown and white streaks on the head and neck with extensive spots on the wings. First summer birds are similar to immature birds but do not have the extensive spotting on the wings.
The Green Heron is a common summer resident that arrives by mid April and may stay until mid November.
The Green Heron tucks its neck close to the body while flying and often does this while at rest.They feed day or night, standing patiently in shallow water waiting for fish, slowly stalking them through the shallows or diving on them from above. They are among the few tool-using birds, using various baits that entice fish to where they can grab them. It flies with slow wingbeats. The flight call is an assertive “skeow”.
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