CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html class="no-js" lang="en"><head><meta charset="utf-8"><meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"><meta name="description" content="From a distance, the Green Heron is a dark, stocky bird hunched on slender yellow legs at the water’s edge, often hidden behind a tangle of leaves. Seen up close, it is a striking bird with a velvet-green back, rich chestnut body, and a dark cap often raised into a short crest. These small herons crouch patiently to surprise fish with a snatch of their daggerlike bill. They sometimes lure in fish using small items such as twigs or insects as bait. "><title>Green Heron Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/overview"><link rel="stylesheet" href="/guide/stylesheets/app.css?ver=20241209"><script src="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js"></script><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/overview"><meta property="og:type" content="website"><meta property="og:title" content="Green Heron Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology"><meta property="og:description" content="From a distance, the Green Heron is a dark, stocky bird hunched on slender yellow legs at the water’s edge, often hidden behind a tangle of leaves. Seen up close, it is a striking bird with a velvet-green back, rich chestnut body, and a dark cap often raised into a short crest. These small herons crouch patiently to surprise fish with a snatch of their daggerlike bill. They sometimes lure in fish using small items such as twigs or insects as bait. "><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/og/75362951-1200px.jpg"><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"><meta name="twitter:text:title" content="Green Heron Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology"><meta name="twitter:text:description" content="From a distance, the Green Heron is a dark, stocky bird hunched on slender yellow legs at the water’s edge, often hidden behind a tangle of leaves. Seen up close, it is a striking bird with a velvet-green back, rich chestnut body, and a dark cap often raised into a short crest. These small herons crouch patiently to surprise fish with a snatch of their daggerlike bill. They sometimes lure in fish using small items such as twigs or insects as bait. "><meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/overview"><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/og/75362951-1200px.jpg?page=Overview"><link rel="icon" href="/guide/images/favicon.png"><link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/guide/images/apple-icon-touch.png"></head><body class="theme-green nav-column"><div id="main-container"><a class="skip-main" href="#main-content" id="skip-main">Skip to main content</a><script>function submitNames(box) { location = '/guide/' + $("#" + box).val().replace(/ /g, '_').replace("'", ''); } function submitNames2(box) { if($("#" + box).attr('submitvalue') != ''){ location = '/guide/browse/taxonomy/' + $("#" + box).attr('submitvalue'); } else{ location = '/guide/browse/taxonomy/' + $("#" + box).val(); } }</script><script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P7854M');</script><aside class="campad-full" aria-label="Visit our sponsors"><div id="div-gpt-ad-1505227973299-0"><script>var pid = '/' + window.location.href.split('/')[4] + '/'; if(window.location.href.split('/')[4] == 'browse') { if(window.location.href.split('/')[5] == 'taxonomy') { pid = '/browse_tax/'; } else { pid = '/browse/'; } } else if(window.location.href.split('/')[4] == 'search') { pid = '/home/'; } var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { var mappingSlot1 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([728, 0], [728, 90]). addSize([480, 0], [468, 60]). addSize([0, 0], [320, 50]). //addSize([0, 0], [320, 90]). build(); var mappingSlot2 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([728, 0], [728, 90]). addSize([480, 0], [468, 60]). addSize([0, 0], [300, 250]). //addSize([0, 0], [320, 90]). build(); googletag.defineSlot('/106885985/AAB2Slot1', [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 50]], 'div-gpt-ad-1505227973299-0'). defineSizeMapping(mappingSlot1). setCollapseEmptyDiv(true). addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/106885985/AAB2Slot2', [[728, 90], [468, 60], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1508424341172-0'). defineSizeMapping(mappingSlot2). setCollapseEmptyDiv(true). addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().setTargeting('pid', [pid]).setTargeting('url', ['speciesguide']); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1505227973299-0'); }); </script></div></aside><header id="main-nav-header"><div id="header-wrapper"><div class="tiny-bar grid-container hide-for-scroll hide-for-print show-for-medium"><div class="top-bar align-right"><nav class="navbar navbar-default align-middle align-right" aria-label="Task-oriented"><ul class="topbar-nav menu row" id="menu-aab-tinybar-menu"><li class="main-menu-item menu-item show-for-medium"><a href="/news/get-involved/" target="_self">Get Involved</a></li><li class="main-menu-item menu-item show-for-medium"><a href="javascript:void()" data-open="newsletter-modal" target="_self">Get eNews</a></li><li class="donate menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom"><a target="_self" href="https://give.birds.cornell.edu/page/87895/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=AAB">Donate</a></li></ul></nav><div class="top-bar-right medium-7 small-7 align-right hide-for-print"></div></div></div><div class="website-header-container grid-container"><div class="header-content main-nav nav-column logo-stacked product"><div class="website-identity"><div class="lab-logo"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/" target="_self" title="Return Home"><img class="hide-for-scroll show-for-medium lazyloaded" alt="All About Birds" src="/guide/images/clo-aab-logo-stacked.svg"><img class="show-for-scroll hide-for-small lazyload" alt="All About Birds" src="/guide/images/clo-aab-logo-web.svg"><img class="hide-for-medium lazyloaded" alt="All About Birds" src="/guide/images/clo-aab-logo-web.svg"></a></div></div><div class="cell website-nav-container medium-auto"><nav class="grid-x website-nav hide-for-print" aria-label="Primary"><div id="primary-nav-container"><ul class="dropdown menu horizontal" id="primary-nav"><li class="menu-item main-menu-item menu-item-has-children guide-active"><a href="/guide/" target="_self">Birds</a><button aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="Show submenu for Birds" aria-expanded="false"><span class="fa fa-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span></button><ul class="sub-menu hidden" aria-hidden="true"><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item guide-active"><a href="/guide/">Bird Guide</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/bird-id-skills/">Bird ID Skills</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/feeding-birds/">Feeding Birds</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/bird-friendly-homes/">Bird-Friendly Homes</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/binoculars-and-gear/">Binoculars & Gear</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/sounds-songs/">Sounds & Songs</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/photography/">Photography</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/browse/topic/faqs/">FAQs & Problems</a></li><li class="sub-menu-item menu-item"><a href="/news/about-the-cornell-lab-of-ornithology/">About Cornell Lab</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item main-menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="/cams/" target="_self">Live Cams</a><button aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="Show submenu for Live Cams" aria-expanded="false"><span class="fa fa-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span></button><ul class="sub-menu" aria-hidden="false"><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="/cams/ontario-feederwatch/">Ontario FeederWatch</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="/cams/cornell-lab-feederwatch/">Cornell Lab FeederWatch</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="/cams/panama-fruit-feeders/">Panama Fruit Feeders</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="/cams/red-tailed-hawks/">Red-tailed Hawks</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="/cams/all-cams/">All Cams</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item main-menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/?utm_source=aab" target="_self">Courses</a><button aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="Show submenu for Courses" aria-expanded="false"><span class="fa fa-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span></button><ul class="sub-menu hidden" aria-hidden="true"><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/course-list/?category=bird-identification&amp;order=featured&amp;utm_source=aab">Bird Identification</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/course-list/?category=bird-biology&amp;order=featured&amp;utm_source=aab">Bird Biology</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/learning-games/?utm_source=aab">Learning Games</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/ebird-essentials/?utm_source=aab">How to Use eBird</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/be-a-better-birder-how-to-identify-bird-songs/?utm_source=aab">Learn Bird Songs</a></li><li class="menu-item sub-menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/course-list/?utm_source=aab">All Online Courses</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org" target="_self">Merlin Bird ID</a></li></ul><ul class="topbar-nav menu row" id="menu-aab-primary-tinybar-menu"><li class="donate menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom"><a target="_self" href="https://give.birds.cornell.edu/page/87895/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=AAB">Donate</a></li></ul></div><button class="cell flex-child-shrink search-toggle" data-open="search-modal" aria-label="Open the Search Modal" aria-controls="search-modal" aria-haspopup="dialog" tabindex="0"><span class="search-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="show-for-medium search-label hide-for-scroll">Search</span></button></nav></div><div class="menu-toggle" data-responsive-toggle="primary-nav-container" data-hide-for="medium"><button class="menu-icon" type="button" data-toggle="primary-nav-container"><span class="title-bar-title sr-only">Menu</span></button></div></div></div></div></header><div id="main-content"><main class="page-overview" id="show-share"><header><h1>Green Heron</h1><nav class="species-nav" aria-label="Browse this species"><ul><li class="active"><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/overview"><span class="icon-star" aria-hidden="true"></span>Overview</a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/id"><span class="icon-binoculars" aria-hidden="true"></span>ID info</a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory"><span class="icon-book" aria-hidden="true"></span>Life History</a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/maps-range"><span class="icon-globe" aria-hidden="true"></span>Maps</a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/sounds"><span class="icon-volume-up" aria-hidden="true"></span>Sounds</a></li></ul></nav></header><section class="hero-wrap" data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/75362951-720px.jpg, extra-small],[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/75362951-720px.jpg, small],[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/75362951-1280px.jpg, medium],[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/75362951-1900px.jpg, large]" style=" background: top center no-repeat; background-size: cover " alt="undefined " aria-label="Green Heron media"><div class="hero"><div class="hero-content"><div class="button-wrap"><div class="jp-jplayer player-audio" id="jquery_jplayer_audio_1" name="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/sound/535021.mp3"></div><div class="jp-flat-audio button-style-player" id="jp_container_audio_1" role="application" aria-label="Green Heron sound"><div class="jp-play-control jp-control"><button class="jp-play jp-button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Listen to the Green Heron"><span>Listen</span></button></div><div class="jp-no-solution">Media Player Error<br>Update your browser</div></div><a class="button" href="/guide/Green_Heron/id"><span class="icon-binoculars" aria-hidden="true"></span><span>ID Info</span></a></div><ul class="hero-menu"><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/photo-gallery/304980141"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/304980141-240px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/304980141-240px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/304980141-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/304980141-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Green Heron Adult"><span class="txt-label">Adult</span></a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/photo-gallery/70691791"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/70691791-240px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/70691791-240px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/70691791-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/70691791-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Green Heron Juvenile"><span class="txt-label">Juvenile</span></a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/photo-gallery/331392181"><div class="video-wrapper"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/videoThumbs/331392181-240px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/videoThumbs/331392181-240px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/videoThumbs/331392181-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/videoThumbs/331392181-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Green Heron Adult video"><span></span></div><span class="txt-label">Adult</span></a></li></ul><div class="caption"><a href="https://flic.kr/p/jDa7XM">Green Heron by A&R Photography</a></div></div></div></section><section class="main-column overview clearfix" aria-label="Green Heron overview"><div class="wide-content"><div class="speciesInfoCard float clearfix"><div class="callout"><div class="row"><div class="silo-group"><img src="/guide/images/silos/icon-heron-small.png" alt="Herons Silhouette"><span>Herons</span></div><div class="species-info"><span class="species-name">Green Heron</span><em>Butorides virescens</em><ul class="additional-info"><li><span>ORDER:</span> Pelecaniformes</li><li><span>FAMILY:</span> Ardeidae</li></ul></div></div><div class="row"><ul class="LH-menu"><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory#habitat"><span class="icon habitat"><img src="/guide/images/icons/icon-marshes.png" alt=""></span><span class="text-label"><span>Habitat</span><span>Marshes</span></span></a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory#food"><span class="icon"><img src="/guide/images/icons/icon-fish.png" alt=""></span><span class="text-label"><span>Food</span><span>Fish</span></span></a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory#nesting"><span class="icon nesting"><img src="/guide/images/icons/icon-tree.png" alt=""></span><span class="text-label"><span>Nesting</span><span>Tree</span></span></a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory#behavior"><span class="icon behavior"><img src="/guide/images/icons/icon-stalking.png" alt=""></span><span class="text-label"><span>Behavior</span><span>Stalking</span></span></a></li><li><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory#conservation"><span class="icon conservation"><img src="/guide/images/icons/icon-common-bird-in-steep-decline.png" alt=""></span><span class="text-label"><span>Conservation</span><span>Common Bird in Steep Decline</span></span></a></li></ul></div></div><div><h2 class="overview">Basic Description</h2><p>From a distance, the Green Heron is a dark, stocky bird hunched on slender yellow legs at the water’s edge, often hidden behind a tangle of leaves. Seen up close, it is a striking bird with a velvet-green back, rich chestnut body, and a dark cap often raised into a short crest. These small herons crouch patiently to surprise fish with a snatch of their daggerlike bill. They sometimes lure in fish using small items such as twigs or insects as bait. </p><a class="button" href="/guide/Green_Heron/id">More ID Info</a></div></div></div><div class="narrow-content"><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/maps-range"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/39403541-720px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/39403541-720px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/39403541-720px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/39403541-720px.jpg, large]" alt="Range map for Green Heron"></a><div class="map-bottom"><div class="map-legend"><span class="legend-label resident">Year-round</span><span class="legend-label breeding">Breeding</span><span class="legend-label migration">Migration</span><span class="legend-label nonbreeding">Nonbreeding</span></div><span class="credit-text">Range map provided by <a href="https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnher/cur/introduction">Birds of the World</a></span></div><a class="button" href="/guide/Green_Heron/maps-range">Explore Maps</a></div><div><h2>Find This Bird</h2><p><p>Green Herons are common and widespread, but they can be hard to see at first. Whereas larger herons tend to stand prominently in open parts of wetlands, Green Herons tend to be at the edges, in shallow water, or concealed in vegetation. Visit a wetland and carefully scan the banks looking for a small, hunch-backed bird with a long, straight bill staring intently at the water. Their harsh <em>skeow</em> call is also a good clue. Green Herons are also distinctive in flight, with slow beats of their rounded wings making them look a bit like a tailless crow. Their habit of often briefly unfolding their neck during flight helps make them recognizable, too.</p></p></div><div><div class="callout"><h2 class="overview">Other Names</h2><ul><li>Garcilla Verde (Spanish)</li><li>Héron vert (French)</li></ul></div></div></div><div class="wide-content"><div class="open-div"><h2>Backyard Tips</h2><p><p>Green Herons sometimes pay visits to ornamental fish ponds. A length of drain pipe placed in the pond can provide fish with a place to hide from feeding herons. </p></p></div><ul class="accordion" data-accordion="" data-allow-all-closed="true" data-multi-expand="true"><li class="is-active" data-accordion-item=""><a class="accordion-title" href="#" aria-controls="" id="" aria-expanded="true">Cool Facts</a><div class="accordion-content" data-tab-content="" aria-labelledby="" aria-hidden="false" id="" style="display: none;"><ul> <li>The Green Heron is part of a complex of small herons that sometimes are considered one species. When lumped, they are called Green-backed Heron. When split, they are the Green Heron, the widespread Striated Heron, and the Galapagos Heron.</li> <li>The Green Heron is one of the world’s few tool-using bird species. It often creates fishing lures with bread crusts, insects, and feathers, dropping them on the surface of the water to entice small fish.</li> <li>Green Herons usually hunt by wading in shallow water, but occasionally they dive for deep-water prey and need to swim back to shore—probably with help from the webs between their middle and outer toes. One juvenile heron was seen swimming gracefully for more than 60 feet, sitting upright “like a little swan,” according to one observer.</li> <li>Like many herons, the Green Heron tends to wander outside of its breeding range after the nesting season is over. Most of the wanderers stay nearby as they search for good feeding habitat, but some travel long distances. Individuals have turned up as far away as England and France.</li> <li>The oldest Green Heron on record was at least 8 years, 11 months old when it was found in Texas in 2021. It was banded there in 2013.</li> </ul> </div></li></ul></div></section></main><aside class="subfooter-wrapper" id="explore-more-content" aria-label="Explore more content"><section class="cta" aria-label="Advertisement"><div class="cta-container"><div id="div-gpt-ad-1508424341172-0"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1508424341172-0'); });</script></div></div></section><section class="sub-footer" aria-labelledby="compare-similar"><div class="similar-species-compare"><h2 id="compare-similar">Compare with Similar Species</h2><p class="text-center">Click on an image to compare</p><div class="species-slider slider slick-5"><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/39512491"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/39512491-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/39512491-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/39512491-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/39512491-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the Least Bittern Adult male to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">Least Bittern</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/37758621"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/37758621-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/37758621-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/37758621-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/37758621-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the American Bittern Adult/immature to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">American Bittern</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/70693031"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693031-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693031-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693031-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693031-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the Black-crowned Night Heron Adult (American) to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">Black-crowned Night Heron<span>Adult (American)</span></span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/70692991"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70692991-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70692991-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70692991-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70692991-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the Black-crowned Night Heron Juvenile to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">Black-crowned Night Heron<span>Juvenile</span></span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/70693871"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693871-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693871-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693871-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693871-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the Yellow-crowned Night Heron Adult to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">Yellow-crowned Night Heron<span>Adult</span></span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/70693901"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693901-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693901-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693901-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693901-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the Yellow-crowned Night Heron Juvenile to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">Yellow-crowned Night Heron<span>Juvenile</span></span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/species-compare/70689401"><img data-interchange="[https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70689401-480px.jpg, extra-small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70689401-480px.jpg, small], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70689401-480px.jpg, medium], [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70689401-480px.jpg, large]" alt="Compare the Little Blue Heron Adult to the Green Heron"><span class="species-name">Little Blue Heron</span></a></div></div></div></section><section class="cta" aria-label="Try Merlin Bird ID"><div class="wide cta-gray"><div class="cta-visual-display merlin-tout"><div><h3 class="call-to-action">Looking for ID Help?</h3><p>Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.</p><a class="button" href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org">Try Merlin Bird ID</a></div></div></div></section><section class="sub-footer no-padding" aria-labelledby="species-family"><h2 id="species-family">Species in This Family</h2><p class="text-center taxonomy-link"><a href="/guide/browse/taxonomy/Ardeidae">Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns</a><span>(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: <a href="/guide/browse/taxonomy/Ardeidae">Ardeidae</a>)</span></p><div class="species-slider slider slick-4"><div><a href="/guide/American_Bittern/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304465371-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">American Bittern</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Yellow-crowned_Night_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70693871-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Yellow-crowned Night Heron</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Black-crowned_Night_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304986701-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Black-crowned Night Heron</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Little_Blue_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70689401-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Little Blue Heron</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Reddish_Egret/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/606669191-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Reddish Egret</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Snowy_Egret/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70611061-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Snowy Egret</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Green_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304980141-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Green Heron</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Least_Bittern/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304476671-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Least Bittern</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Great_Egret/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/70610211-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Great Egret</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Gray_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/254741801-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Gray Heron</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Tricolored_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304957351-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Tricolored Heron</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Western_Cattle-Egret/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304971031-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Western Cattle-Egret</span></a></div><div><a href="/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/overview"><img data-lazy="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/noindex/photo/304479371-480px.jpg" alt=""><span class="species-name">Great Blue Heron</span></a></div></div><div class="family-cta"><p class="text-center"><a class="button" href="/guide/browse/taxonomy/Ardeidae">Browse Species in This Family</a></p></div></section><section class="more-to-read sub-footer" aria-labelledby="more-to-read"><div class="more-section more-to-read-wrap"><h2 id="more-to-read">More to Read</h2><div class="article-list"><ul><li class="article-item"><div class="article-item-container"><div class="article-item-media"><figure class="article-item-media-ratio"><img src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MesmerizingMigrationMap-FI-240x180.jpg" alt=""></figure></div><div class="article-item-body"><a class="article-item-link" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/mesmerizing-migration-watch-118-bird-species-migrate-across-a-map-of-the-western-hemisphere/"><span class="article-item-header"><span class="tag">eBird</span><span class="article-item-header">Mesmerizing Migration: Watch 118 Bird Species Migrate Across a Map of the Western Hemisphere</span></span></a></div></div></li><li class="article-item"><div class="article-item-container"><div class="article-item-media"><figure class="article-item-media-ratio"><img src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Canada_Geese-Rose-Ange_Jean-BS-FI-240x180.jpg" alt=""></figure></div><div class="article-item-body"><a class="article-item-link" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/i-thought-geese-migrated-south-in-the-winter-and-north-in-the-summer-why-did-i-just-see-a-flock-of-canada-geese-flying-in-the-wrong-direction/"><span class="article-item-header"><span class="article-item-header">Why do migrating Canada Geese sometimes fly in the "wrong" direction?</span></span></a></div></div></li><li class="article-item"><div class="article-item-container"><div class="article-item-media"><figure class="article-item-media-ratio"><img src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/288821651-Northern_Cardinal-Imhoff-FI-240x180.jpg" alt=""></figure></div><div class="article-item-body"><a class="article-item-link" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/are-cardinals-brighter-in-winter/"><span class="article-item-header"><span class="article-item-header">Are Cardinals Redder in Winter?</span></span></a></div></div></li><li class="article-item"><div class="article-item-container"><div class="article-item-media"><figure class="article-item-media-ratio"><img src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Lincolns_Sparrow-Nick_Saunders-FI-240x180.jpg" alt=""></figure></div><div class="article-item-body"><a class="article-item-link" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/learn-how-to-id-these-5-confusing-streaked-sparrows/"><span class="article-item-header"><span class="tag">Living Bird Magazine</span><span class="article-item-header">Learn How to ID These 5 Confusing Streaked Sparrows</span></span></a></div></div></li><li class="article-item"><div class="article-item-container"><div class="article-item-media"><figure class="article-item-media-ratio"><img src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Bay-breasted_Warbler-Arni_Stinnissen-FI-240x180.jpg" alt=""></figure></div><div class="article-item-body"><a class="article-item-link" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/analysis-the-economic-value-of-birds/"><span class="article-item-header"><span class="tag">Living Bird Magazine</span><span class="article-item-header">Analysis: The Economic Value of Birds</span></span></a></div></div></li><li class="article-item"><div class="article-item-container"><div class="article-item-media"><figure class="article-item-media-ratio"><img src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Chichadee-Meghan_Bishop-FI-240x180.jpg" alt=""></figure></div><div class="article-item-body"><a class="article-item-link" href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-do-birds-survive-the-winter/"><span class="article-item-header"><span class="tag">Living Bird Magazine</span><span class="article-item-header">How Do Birds Survive the Winter?</span></span></a></div></div></li></ul></div></div></section></aside><noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-P7854M" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript><footer id="main-footer"><div class="grid-container grid-x"><div class="logos"><div class="cell lab-logo"><a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/" rel="parent" title="The Cornell Lab of Ornithology"><img alt="Cornell Lab of Ornithology" src="/guide/images/cornell-lab-logo-full-wht.svg"></a></div></div><div class="footer-content row hide-for-print"><div class="cell sitemap"><nav aria-label="Site map"><ul class="menu" id="footer-nav"><li class="menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/about/">About Us</a><ul class="sub-menu"><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/about/">Overview</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/about/programs/">Programs</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/visit/">Visit the Lab</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/jobs/">Job Opportunities</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/news/">News Releases</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/for-advertisers/">For Advertisers</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/">Citizen Science</a><ul class="sub-menu"><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://ebird.org/home">eBird</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://feederwatch.org/">Project Feederwatch</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://nestwatch.org/">NestWatch</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://celebrateurbanbirds.org/">Celebrate Urban Birds</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="http://gbbc.birdcount.org/">Great Backyard Bird Count</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/course-list/">Lifelong Learning</a><ul class="sub-menu"><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/">Online Courses</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/visit/events/">Bird Walks & Events</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/spring-field-ornithology-northeast/">Spring Field Ornithology</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12">K–12 Education</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/publications/">Publications</a><ul class="sub-menu"><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home">Birds of the World</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist">Clements Checklist</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.stateofthebirds.org/">State of the Birds</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/annual-report/">Annual Report</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/publications/">Scientific Citations</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/living-bird-latest-issue/">Living Bird Magazine</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="#">Explore More</a><ul class="sub-menu"><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/">Bird Guide</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/">Bird Cams</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/">Macaulay Library</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="http://ravensoundsoftware.com/">"Raven" Sound Analysis</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/labofornithology">Our Youtube Videos</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/browse/topic/faqs/">FAQs</a></li></ul></li><li class="menu-item menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://join.birds.cornell.edu/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1806&amp;ea.campaign.id=28635&amp;ea.tracking.id=WEB">Support Our Cause</a><ul class="sub-menu"><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://join.birds.cornell.edu/page/150611/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=WXXXXX14C">Join the Lab</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://give.birds.cornell.edu/page/87895/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=AAF">Donate</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://give.birds.cornell.edu/page/99134/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=WXXXXX01C&amp;utm_source=BCE&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=Evergreen-Sustainer&amp;utm_content=home-page">Monthly Giving</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/members/">Membership Services</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/shop-for-our-cause/">Shop for Our Cause</ul></li></ul></a></li></ul></li></ul></nav></div><div class="cell widgets"><ul class="menu horizontal hide-for-print" id="contact-nav"><li><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/contact-us/">Contact Us</a></li><li><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/web-accessibility-assistance/">Web Accessibility Assistance</a></li><li><a href="https://privacy.cornell.edu/information-use-cornell">Privacy Policy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/">Terms of use</a></li><li><a href="/news/site-credits/">Site Credits</a></li></ul></div><div class="cell social"><div class="social hide-for-print"><h2>Follow us</h2><ul class="social-icons"><li class="facebook"><a href="https://facebook.com/cornellbirds" title="Like us on Facebook"><span class="fab fa-facebook"></span></a></li><li class="instagram"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cornellbirds" title="Follow us on Instagram"><span class="fab fa-instagram"></span></a></li><li class="linkedin"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/cornell-lab-of-ornithology" title="Connect with us on LinkedIn"><span class="fab fa-linkedin"></span></a></li></ul></div></div></div><div class="footer-bottom grid-x"><div class="cell cu-logo"><img alt="Cornell University" src="/guide/images/cornell-logo-white.svg"></div><div class="copyright"><p class="source-org copyright">© 2025 Cornell University</p></div></div></div></footer><div class="reveal" id="search-modal" data-reveal role="dialog" data-animation-in="fade-in fast" aria-label="Search"><button class="close-button" data-close aria-label="Close" type="button"><span class="text">Cancel</span><span class="symbol" aria-hidden="true">×</span></button><div class="search-container"><div class="search-area row"><div class="search-form ui-widget ui-front" role="search" aria-label="Search website"><span class="search-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span><label class="sr-only" for="header-names">Search for species name or keywords</label><input class="search-field docs-search tt-input" id="header-names" aria-label="search text" type="text" data-docs-search="" placeholder="Enter species name or keyword" autocomplete="off" spellcheck="false" dir="auto" onkeypress="headerHandleKeyPress(event)"><button class="search-submit button" type="submit" onclick="submitNames('header-names');">Search</button></div></div></div><div class="content-container page-wider"><p>Or Browse Bird Guide by <a href="/guide/browse/taxonomy" target="_self">Family</a><span> or </span><a href="/guide/browse" target="_self">Shape</a></p></div><section class="gray-bar-promotion" aria-label="Try Merlin"><div class="merlin-cta"><p>Need Bird ID Help? <a class="button" role="button" href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org">Try Merlin</a></p></div></section></div><div class="reveal" id="newsletter-modal" data-reveal role="dialog" data-animation-in="fade-in fast" data-v-offset="0" aria-label="Newsletter Sign Up"><button class="close-button" data-close aria-label="Close" type="button"><span class="text">Cancel</span><span class="symbol" aria-hidden="true">×</span></button><div class="content"><h2>Don't miss a thing! Join our email list</h2><p>The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, <br>birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.</p></p><script src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script><script>hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: '95627', formId: 'de085739-e692-431e-b987-0736c9c7e87a', target: '.reveal .hubspot-guide', css: '' });</script><div class="hubspot-guide"></div></div></div><div id="deployed"></div></div></div><script type="text/javascript" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.11.1.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.2.1.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://code.jquery.com/ui/1.12.1/jquery-ui.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/guide/javascripts/foundation.min.js?ver=20211026"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/guide/jplayer/jplayer/jquery.jplayer.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/guide/jplayer/jplayer/flat.audio.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/guide/slick/slick.min.js?ver=20220721"></script><script src="/guide/javascripts/app.min.js?ver=20241209"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://js.hscta.net/cta/current.js"></script><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://lightbox.allaboutbirds.org/wp-content/plugins/clo-lightbox/clo-lightbox.min.css"><script type="text/javascript" src="https://lightbox.allaboutbirds.org/wp-content/plugins/clo-lightbox/clo-lightbox.js"> </script><script type="text/javascript">var clo_lightbox = new CLO_Lightbox(); clo_lightbox.create('aab', 'aabguide', window.location.pathname, 'live');</script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wp-content/themes/birdpress3-aab/scripts/aab-promotion.js?ver=20241121"> </script></body></html>