Green Heron

Heron Species Types of Birds American Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret West Coast Herons

At a little over a foot tall, the Green Heron is the smallest of the West Coast herons. However, it can stretch its neck to almost double its size.

It is relatively common throughout the United States in areas with wetlands and marshes. If you quietly and slowly walk by the water's edge in these areas you will become acquainted with their favorite food spots.

West Coast populations start thinning through Washington State, with small populations found on the southern coast of the state and up through the Puget Sound area.

Their diet consists primarily of small fish, however they adapt to their living spaces and eat insects, crustecaens and amphibians.

As a rule, they are not colony nesters like other herons. However, they do nest in trees.

While the bird is named Green Heron, it is actually a more colorful bird. Head color can range from blue to green. The neck is a mix of red and that sometimes shows as purple.

© 2004. Patricia A. Michaels