Green Heron

The green heron (Butorides virescens) prefers streams, freshwater ponds, and lakes with nearby trees. You’ll often spot them perched in trees or standing still near the water's edge, waiting for prey. Sometimes they'll even drop “bait” such as a feather or twig on the surface of the water to lure fish closer to them. They feed on small fish, insects, shellfish and lizards. Green herons tend to live alone or in small loose groups of three or four.