Central America’s Heron -The Green Heron

The Green Heron is a small bird that likes to stalk it’s pray. Native and migrating populations can be found all over Costa Rica as well as in most of Central America. They are quite common along water bodies such as mangroves, beaches and rivers and as most bird species green herons distinguish themselves by their color.

They are quite common along water bodies such as mangroves, beaches and rivers and as most bird species green herons distinguish themselves by their color. Adults have a glossy, greenish-black cap, a greenish back and wings that are dark green or blue, almost black. Their bill is dark with a long, sharp point.

The Green Heron is also relatively small with a body length of 44cm as an adult. The oldest wild green heron was captured when it was almost 8 years old.

There is very little information on lifespan in these birds due to the fact that they are more nocturnal than diurnal. They prefer to retreat to sheltered areas in daytime.

During courtship, the male loud noises with a wide-open bill and makes noisy wing-beats. They also make loud noises while flying. Green herons usually lay 2-5 bluish-white eggs which are laid in 2-day intervals. After the last egg has been laid, both parents incubate them for about 19-25. The young sometimes start to leave the nest at 16 days of age, but are not fully independent until 30-35 days old.

Human activities have had their effect on the heron but it is still listed as least concern. Historically, green herons were hunted for food. Fish hatcheries also kill green herons to prevent them eating their fish. These birds appear in their breeding ranges at the same time they did 100 years ago.

These birds appear in their breeding ranges at the same time they did 100 years ago.[They are seen as far north as southern Canada and as far south as northern South America.

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!