"A Shy Bird"

The Green heron is a small solitary heron that lives along shaded riverbanks or quiet streams in areas of dense vegetation. It is often somewhat secretive but is sometimes to be seen crying "kyow" while flying up a creek. When in the open, it will often flick its short tail nervously, while raising and lowering its crest. The "green" of its back is an iridescence, and often appears as a dull blue or just dark.

 

Although they are quite common, Green herons are shy and so are not often observed. Their active period is during the day and they nest within their feeding areas. To catch fish they either stand in the water or perch low above the water, watching for prey, or they track it down. Occasionally they will swim after prey. They will retract their neck, holding their bill downwards aiming at a fish, take a few cautious steps and stab their prey with their bill. They feed either alone or as a pair. When threatened, alarmed or aggressive, Green herons raise their crest, hold their neck still and flutter their tail. They are territorial and do not tolerate intrusions. They attack intruders on sight, flying towards them, making a loud and guttural repetitive "annnck-annnnck". This call is also repeated as an alarm.

 

The Green heron uses tools, being one of the few bird species to do so. It drops objects such as bread crusts, twigs, insects, earthworms, and feathers on the water’s surface to attract small fish.

 

I found this one along Peavine Road in Osceola County, Florida.

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