Green Heron

About the Green Heron

Also known as: Little Green Heron, Green-backed Heron, Poke, Chucklehead, Chalkline, Fly-up-the-creek

The Green Heron is a small species of heron found across parts of the Americas. In the United States, the range covers the eastern half of the country as well as the Pacific coast. They remain year-round in the southern parts of the range, while other birds migrate between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering grounds.

Green Herons feed mainly on fish, as well as aquatic invertebrates like worms and leeches, plus snails, snakes, and frogs. They often hunt by standing still on a perch above deep water or by standing in shallow water. There they watch the water for potential prey items.

The Green Heron is known to use bait to attract fish. They have been recorded dropping bits of bread, insects, and leaves into the water in an attempt to lure in fish. They are among just a few bird species known to use tools.

Green Heron Find cute products & gifts with our Birdorable Green Heron
Shop Now

Details & Statistics

Added to Birdorable
Hatched on 22 June 2015
Scientific Name
Butorides virescens
  • Pelecaniformes
  • Ardeidae
  • Butorides
  • B. virescens
Birdorable Family
Conservation Status
Least Concern (as of 20 April 2020)
LC
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Units: Imperial / Metric
16.1 to 18.1 inches
25.2 to 26.8 inches
8.5 ounces

Range

International Names

Chinese (汉语) 美洲绿鹭
Czech (Cesky) volovka zelenavá
Danish (Dansk) Krabbehejre
Dutch (Nederlands) Groene Reiger
Finnish (Suomi) amerikankyyryhaikara
French (Français) Héron vert
German (Deutsch) Grünreiher
Italian (Italiano) Airone verde
Japanese (日本語) アメリカササゴイ [amerikasasagoi]
Norwegian (Norsk) Grønnrygghegre
Polish (Polski) czapla zielona
Portuguese (Português) Socó-mirím
Russian (русский язык) Американская зелёная кваква
Spanish (Español) Garcita verdosau
Swedish (Svenska) grönryggig häger
More Products

Cute gifts with this bird

Design with this bird

Related articles & downloads

Bird Term: Altricial

Bird Term: Altricial

Today we'd like to share with you the meaning of the term altricial, especially as it relates to birds. It is the opposite of a term we shared earlier on the blog: ... more
Green Heron Facts

Green Heron Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Green Heron, one of our newest Birdorable birds!The Green Heron has had some interesting colloquial names, including Fly-up-the-creek, Poke, Chalkline, Indian Hen, and Chucklehead.Some Green ... more
Green Heron Coloring Page

Green Heron Coloring Page

The Green Heron is a small species of heron found across parts of the Americas. They feed mainly on fish and small aquatic animals. Adult Green Herons have dark green feathers at ... more