Tag Archives: Green Heron

A stop at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County gave nice looks at a couple of juvenile Green Herons. They did some fishing for food but came up empty each time as they are still learning how to get their food. They are cute with the fuzz on their heads. It was a sunny morning with temps around 70 degrees, low winds and sunny. Images were taken on August 12, 2022.

Green Heron, juvenile, fuzz on head…

Green Heron, juvenile walking down a stick in search of food…waiting for something to come by…

Goes for something here…

The Green Heron went for something  but it was a miss, came up empty…

While doing a walk around today at Greenfield Park a colorful Green Heron along one of the islands caught my eye. The bird did not hang around, but just enough for a photo. Other species to note at the park were a pair of Wood Ducks walking in the grass, a few in Pee-Soup-Pond and a couple of Blue-winged Teal and Pied-billed Grebes out in the open water. It was a cloudy day with steady breeze from the north and temps only in the mid 30’s. Images were taken on April 20, 2021.

The Green Heron…

The Wood Duck, male…

While birding Lakeshore State Park I came across 2 Green Herons hunting for food. They were not very productive while I watched, but it was still nice to see some of their actions. There was one fish taken, a Rock Bass. It was a warm morning, a nice breeze helped, sunny skies. Images were taken on August 28, 2020.

Green Heron, adult

With a nice Rock Bass…

Watching for something to come by…

In search of food at Veterans Park 9/1/2020

Going for a Damselfly and getting it at Veterans Park 9/1/2020

With the Damselfly…at Veterans Park 9/1/2020

Just looking pretty…

Just looking around…

I have never come across and active Green Heron nest in the 9 years I have been birding or even an empty one. So this one I photographed today was a real treat. The 2 adults were present most of the time I was there, sometimes together on the nest, other times the male was out on a limb with the female on the nest. I am sure an egg was laid while I was present as when I arrived the female seemed to be circling on the nest and no egg was present. Shortly there after I noticed an egg on the nest. I was there for a very shot time. It was a cloudy day with some mist early but mild temps and low winds so it was not too bad out. Images were taken on May 29, 2019.

The female sitting on the nest when found…

The male comes over to the nest and the female does some moving around on the nest and a blue egg is now seen…

Both adults together, they were moving around the egg with their bills…

Both birds looking at the egg…

The female turns around maybe to lay another egg, I left the area not wanting to disturb anything…

One of my birding stops today was the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County. The highlight was watching a juvenile Green Heron fishing for something to eat. The Green Heron was perched on some downed branches in water near Mystery Lake. A Golden Shiner minnow came swimming by the Green Heron, the heron grabbed it and that was it for the Golden Shiner. A couple flips of the small fish in the herons mouth and it was gone. Some of the other birds to note, Belted Kingfisher, Coopers Hawk, Northern Flickers, Brown Creeper, warblers~ Common Yellowthroats, Palms, Blackpoll and a Nashville. Overall kind of quiet. It was a gloomy day with some brightness at times, temps were about 65 degrees, a nice breeze from the east. Images were taken on September 19, 2018.

Perched and fishing, waiting for something to come by…

The catch, a Golden Shiner!

Holding onto the minnow tight…

The heron decides it is going to come down on the perch to eat…

Gets closer to the water…

Going to get a better grip here…

Re-grabs the minnow…

Getting ready to swallow it…

In it goes…

And the gulp!

A quick drink of water which is what herons usually do after eating something….

Perched pretty for more fishing…

Doing some birding at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee I came across a juvenile Green Heron attempting to eat a bullfrog. As young as this heron is, being born a few months ago, it just could not get the bullfrog down its throat. In recent days I have watched some of these herons eat small minnows at the most, so this was no surprise. I beautiful morning out with a light breeze, some sun and mild temps early 0f 70 degrees. Images were taken on August 4, 2018.

After the catch, the juvenile Green Heron re-grabs the bull frog…

Picks it up…

Thinking how it is going to get this bullfrog in…

Re-grabbing to start the process of getting it down, head first…

In it goes…but the heron can not get it down so…

The heron wets the bullfrog…it is what they do to make it go down easier…

Another try here…

Another dip in the water…

Lets try this again…

Ok…

Getting in position again…

Spin it…

Working on it…

Still trying…

Almost…

More struggle…

Going in again…

Can’t happen…

The Green Heron never ate the bullfrog…….I missed the last shot of the bull frog falling into the water…not uncommon for a heron species to pick up something bigger than they can eat and try to get it down…

One of the highlights today at Greenfield Park was a juvenile Green Heron perched in a hedge north of the large pond. It was a highlight because it was a slower day than the usual there plus you typically see these birds on the pond perched on a stick. 4 Green Herons were present today along with a Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfishers to name a few. Thanks to Dave F for finding this bird perched in the hedge and getting the word out to others at the park as this bird gave nice views. A warm day at the park, low winds, mostly cloudy skies and of photographers visiting from different parts of the state. Images were taken on August 20, 2017.

Some preening here…

When I left the heron was just resting up there enjoying the nice day…

During a visit at Greenfield Park this morning I observed a Green Heron fishing, catching fish and eating them. This bird is a 1st summer Green Heron, born last year. A typically event that occurs here daily during the summer months are Green Herons fishing all around the pond, rotating their fishing spots to allow new food to come into those places. Some of the species seen today at the park were 2 Green Herons, 2 Great Blue Herons, 2 Belted Kingfishers and a couple groups of Wood Ducks with the mother and young. The day was just a little slower than normal. A beautiful morning out with mostly sunny skies and warm temps but not as hot as it could be for this time of year. Images were taken on July 11, 2017.

Green Heron, the catch with a fish……and a weed too

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 oz

The gulp!

Fishing…

Fishing and then just before the catch…

Got-em!

Getting a good grip!

The catch, a nice fish!

A look around

More fishing…

An incredible stretch for the next catch!

And a nice catch!

Killing and turning the fish around to go down the throat…

The gulp!

Sitting pretty…

With a slower time of the year for birding, Greenfield Park in Milwaukee always seems to have something going on. I stopped in there this morning and watched a few of the Green Herons present doing their thing, fishing, preening or just hanging out. While observing the Green Herons today the ate small fish. These appear to be first summer Green Herons born in 2015. A few Great Blue Herons were also present today but no Black-crowned Night-Herons were seen. Images were taken on August 30, 2016.

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 oz

Preening

Preening

With a feather

Fishing

Gets the fish!

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Scratching

Fishing

Scratching

Fishing

Fishing

Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead

Sneaking through the water looking for its next snack

Just hanging out

I stopped at Whitnall Park for a routine birding stop to see if there was any warbler action. There was one period mid-morning where there was some good warbler action, but it did not last long. Some Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 Blackburnian Warbler were the warbler highlights. Some of the other warbler species present were Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black and White and Yellow. A Green Heron, FOY, gave a very brief appearance. It was a pleasant day with low winds, mild temps and sunny skies. Just a few images to share taken on May 5, 2016.

Green Heron

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

While doing some birding at Greenfield Park in West Allis this morning I came across a Green Heron catching and eating an American Bullfrog. The bullfrog struggled to get away, and the 1st summer Green Heron struggled to kill it. Finally after a few minutes the Green Heron got control of it and down it went in one piece. Poor Bullfrog! Some of the other bird species present were families of Northern Flicker, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher and Green Heron. Also present, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwings, Wood Ducks, Pied-billed Grebes and some of the more common birds. Overall a quiet morning but nice to get out with other birders and photographers before the heat really set in. Mostly sunny with morning temps in the low 80’s with a light breeze at times. This action took place on one of the bigger islands there at the park. Images were taken on September 2, 2015.

The bullfrog is fighting to get away, kicking etc

The bullfrog is still trying to get away by kicking, etc

The bullfrog is still struggling and the heron just continually pinches the bullfrog

The bullfrog is tiring

Starting the process of swallowing the frog head first, I’m sure the adults showed them just how to do this at one time!

Gulp, poor frog!

Birding at Greenfield Park this morning provided some nice looks at birds in action. Some of the highlights were species Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Crested Flycatcher and Wood Ducks. An adult Green Heron set out insects for bait on the water that brought in a few prizes. It was a fun morning doing some photography with Bruce and Lee. It was an overcast day. It started to drizzle when I left early afternoon. Images were taken on August 28, 2015 in West Allis, Milwaukee County Wisconsin.

Green Heron, adult going for the fish

Green Heron, adult going for the fish

Green Heron, adult gets the fish

Green Heron, adult with fish

Green Heron, setting out a bee for fishing bait

Green Heron, setting out a bee for fishing bait

Green Heron, going for the fish

Green Heron, with the fish

Green Heron with the fish

Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile

Pied-billed Grebe, adult

Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile stretching

Pied-billed Grebe, adult shaking off!

Pied-billed Grebe,  shaking off!

Pied-billed Grebe, the yawn!

Pied-billed Grebe, adult

Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile preening

Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile stretching

Pied-bill Grebe juvenile eating a crayfish

Pied-billed Grebe juvenile eating a crayfish

Pied-billed Grebe juvenile eating a crayfish

Pied-billed Grebe juvenile

Pied-billed Grebe adult

Green Heron juvenile

Green Heron juvenile preening

Green Heron juvenile shaking off!

Great Crested Flycatcher

Black-crowned Night Heron, adult

Black-crowned Night Heron, adult

Black-crowned Night Heron, adult stretching

Wood Ducks, adult female with young

Wood Ducks, adult female with young

Green Heron at takeoff

A pair of juvenile Green Herons were present at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin this morning. They worked the shoreline there hunting for food, stretching and resting too. Some of the items they caught were small fish and the Common Blue Damselfly. Also present at the beach area there were 4 Juvenile Caspian Terns. Images were taken on August 6, 2014.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly.

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 Oz.

Habitat: Breed in areas of woods or areas with thick vegetation near ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, reservoirs and estuaries. They stay at coastal areas and mangrove swamps in the winter months.

Diet: Green Herons consume fish as their main diet, but also eat amphibians, insects, crustaceans, snails, reptiles and rodents. They catch their food standing still at pond, lake, swamp, creek, marsh, or river edges then darting out with their head snapping up its prey. They also spear their prey with their sharp bill. They usually hunt in waters of less than 4” deep. Deeper waters are usually visited by larger heron species with longer legs.

Nesting: Start of the construction of the nest is done by the male. After a pair is formed the female helps in the nest building. The nest is usually 8-12” across with a bowl of about 2” deep with no lining. The nest is usually located over water at ground level to 30’ or more above the water, but can also be located up to distances of a half mile away from water. They also are known to fix up old nests and during the breeding season they continue to add sticks to their nests as necessary.

Cool fact: Green Herons are known to use bait like insects to bait their prey.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly.

Juvenile Green Heron hunting.

Juvenile Green Heron with a fish.

Juvenile Green Heron with a fish.

Juvenile Green Heron with gull overhead!

Juvenile Green Heron has it’s eye on something.

Juvenile Green Heron with the catch!

Juvenile Green Heron, the reflection.

Juvenile Green Heron hunting.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly in sight.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly, got it!

Juvenile Green Heron just taking a break.

Juvenile Green Heron just taking a break.

Juvenile Green Heron just taking a break.

Juvenile Green Heron, getting back to hunting.

Juvenile Green Heron stretching.

Juvenile Green Heron

Juvenile Green Heron

Juvenile Green Heron

Juvenile Green Heron

Juvenile Caspian Tern

Juvenile Caspian Tern coming in for a landing.

Green Heron fishing, feeding and resting at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Photographs were taken on July 9, 2014.

Capture of the crayfish.

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 Oz.

Habitat: Breed in areas of woods or areas with thick vegetation near ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, reservoirs and estuaries. They stay at coastal areas and mangrove swamps in the winter months.

Diet: Green Herons consume fish as their main diet, but also eat amphibians, insects, crustaceans, snails, reptiles and rodents. They catch their food standing still at pond, lake, swamp, creek, marsh, or river edges then darting out with their head snapping up its prey. They also spear their prey with their sharp bill. They usually hunt in waters of less than 4” deep. Deeper waters are usually visited by larger heron species with longer legs.

Nesting: Start of the construction of the nest is done by the male. After a pair is formed the female helps in the nest building. The nest is usually 8-12” across with a bowl of about 2” deep with no lining. The nest is usually located over water at ground level to 30’ or more above the water, but can also be located up to distances of a half mile away from water. They also are known to fix up old nests and during the breeding season they continue to add sticks to their nests as necessary.

Cool fact: Green Herons are known to use bait like insects to bait their prey. In some images below a Green Heron used a fly to try to attract a small fish to eat. It repeated this a couple of times as I stood there but was unsuccessful that time in getting it’s fishing trick to work that attracts fish or other prey, to then snatch up.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Just before the swallow!

Fishing and waiting.

The catch!

The catch!

Fishing

Fishing

Going for a fly to be used to bait a minnow.

Catching the fly!

Setting the fly in the water to attract a minnow.

Changes plan and takes the fly to a new location to be used to bait a minnow.

Takes off to a new location.

Catches a crayfish after fishing.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Swallows the crayfish without notice!

Going down!

In the process!

Fishing

Resting

Resting

Resting

Fishing

Fishing

Beautiful back view of feathers and colors!

Fishing

Resting

Fishing

The catch!

Killing the crayfish

Resting after swallowing the crayfish!