Green Heron

Butorides virescens (Linnaeus, 1758)

Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns

Green Heron, Butorides virescens, is a heron of North America and Middle America, breeding from eastern and central USA to Panama. It belongs to the Ardeidae family in the Pelecaniformes order. A compact bird, it is best known for its tight neck posture and its dark bill with a long, pointed tip. Adults show a glossy greenish-black cap, an iridescent green back and wings, a chestnut neck marked with white lines, grey underparts and short yellow legs. Juveniles are duller, with streaking on the head sides, neck and underparts.

Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns
Breeding range: North America, Middle America: e, c USA to Panama