Fauna Flora Photography

Green Heron Butorides virescens

A relatively small bird of the family of herons breeding around Montreal and the shyest one, less frequently to be spotted. Feeds on fishes and frogs at lakes, ponds and rivers. The population around Montreal migrates to Mexico in winter.

Specs

Length45-54cm
Weight250-450g
Wingspan76-86cm

Common Names

GermanGrünreiher
EnglishGreen Heron
FrenchHéron vert
SpanishGarcita verdosa

Taxonomy

OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyArdeidae
SpeciesButorides virescens

How to Identify

A distinguishable characteristic is the greenish-black cap and greenish back. Neck and side are red-brown.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) - Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies - 2017-06-26

Where and When to Spot

I have been looking for this species for a long time and finally spotted one at a pond at the North tip of Island of Montreal.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Parc des Rapides - x x -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.