Green-backed herons are small herons that live throughout much of North America. They can be found near water sources like ponds, marshes, swamps, and streams. These herons have adapted to live around humans and will even inhabit city parks and yards if water is available.
Range
Green-backed herons have an extensive range that covers much of North and Central America. Their breeding range extends from southern Canada south throughout the United States to Central America. Some of the key areas where they breed include:
- Southern Canada
- Throughout the continental United States
- Central America from Guatemala to Panama
- Cuba, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean islands
During the winter, most green-backed herons migrate to the southernmost parts of North America. Their winter range includes:
- The southern United States from California to Florida
- Mexico
- Central America
- The Caribbean
However, some individuals may remain as far north as Oregon and New England during mild winters. Green-backed herons are rare vagrants to Europe.
Habitat
Green-backed herons inhabit a variety of wetland habitats across their range. Here are some of the key habitat features they look for:
- Slow-moving water – Sluggish streams, ponds, marshes, and swamps
- Shallow water – Areas with water less than 8 inches deep
- Emergent vegetation – Wetlands with grasses, bushes, reeds
- Overhanging branches – For roosting and nesting
Some specifics types of wetland habitats used by green-backed herons include:
- Freshwater marshes
- Swamps and sloughs
- Edges of ponds and lakes
- Slow-moving streams and creeks
- Flooded fields or forests
- Mangrove swamps in the tropics
Green-backed herons are flexible in their habitat needs and may visit wetlands or waterways in urban and suburban areas. They sometimes even forage in grassy areas away from water.
Nesting
During the breeding season, green-backed herons build nests near or over water. They nest relatively early, with nesting activity starting in April in the south and ranging into June in the north.
Nests are flimsy platforms of sticks, usually placed 10-30 feet above the ground in bushes, mangroves, or trees. The male gathers most of the nesting material and the female does most of the construction work. Nests are re-used from year to year and added to over time.
3-6 eggs are laid within the nest. Both parents help incubate the eggs for around 21 days before they hatch. Once the chicks hatch, both parents help to feed and care for them until they fledge at around 18-21 days old.
Green-backed herons sometimes nest in loose colonies, with multiple nests in one tree. But they can also nest as solitary pairs.
Foraging and Diet
Green-backed herons forage both day and night, but especially around dawn and dusk. They forage mainly by standing motionless and waiting for prey to come near.
Their diet consists predominantly of small fish, but can also include:
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Small mammals
- Insects
- Crustaceans
- Mollusks
When they spot prey, green-backed herons snap it up quickly with their long bills. They sometimes drop objects on the water’s surface to attract fish before spearing them.
Interesting Facts
- Green-backed herons use a variety of ingenious hunting techniques – they may dangle bait to attract fish, stir up the water with their feet, or stand perfectly still for long periods.
- Their greenish back feathers help them blend into marsh vegetation for camouflage as they hunt.
- If threatened, green-backed herons puff out their body feathers to appear larger.
- They produce a distinct “skeow” call, most often given near the nesting site.
- While nesting, the male stands guard and will aggressively chase away intruders or predators.
- Green-backed herons have very long toes and strong legs well adapted to grasping prey.
Population and Conservation
Green-backed heron populations declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as wetlands were drained and destroyed. However, they have rebounded well with wetland protection and are considered common throughout their range today.
They have survived better than many heron species in human-altered landscapes. Their flexible habitat use allows them to nest and forage even near suburban neighborhoods.
While green-backed herons still face threats like habitat loss and disturbance, their adaptability helps them flourish. They are considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN due to their large and stable global population. Protecting wetland habitats across North America is crucial to ensure these unique herons continue thriving.
Conclusion
In summary, green-backed herons inhabit a variety of wetland habitats across much of North America. They nest in trees or bushes near water. Their diet consists mainly of small fish and other aquatic prey. Green-backed herons are adaptable birds that have adjusted well to some human land uses. They can be found around waterways in many urban and suburban areas. Protecting wetland habitats is important to ensure stable populations of these fascinating wetland herons.