Butorides virescens Photo Fiona Sunquist ©
Green herons are small, chunky, short-legged birds with a glossy, greenish-black cap. The wings are black, fringed with green or blue, and the legs are orange.
Compared with other herons, the green heron is difficult to see. This small, cryptic bird spends most of the daytime waiting motionless for fish to come within striking range.
Green herons are one of the few birds that have been recorded using bait to lure fish to sites. They have been seen placing bread crusts, insects or feathers on the water surface and waiting quietly nearby for prey to approach the bait.
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