The Green Heron
Green Heron Juv, observed Aug 24 2014 at the Picnic Point marsh. Photo Jeff Koziol
The Green Heron, who prefers to live along the edges of water, is the beloved logo for the Friends of the Lakeshore Preserve. It's a special treat, often rewarding hours of searching, to sight the elusive bird, camouflaged by its black crown and dark gray and green back and wings and moving in slow motion so as not attract attention. In the Preserve, the Green Heron is most often seen along the edges of the marsh pond on the Picnic Point peninsula.
You can guess the characteristic behaviors of the Green Heron, as described below, from the photos of the bird, both in hiding and in flight. Photos are by Arlene Koziol. Description from the online Audubon Guide: "The Green Heron is rather solitary, feeding alone or in pairs. A wary bird, it erects its short crest, straightens its neck, and nervously flicks its short tail when alarmed. It is often first noticed when it flushes unexpectedly from the edge of the water and flies off uttering its sharp call." The Green Heron moves in cautious steps, preying on insects, frogs and fish. |
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Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve
P.O. Box 5534 Madison, WI 53705 UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve website Documents |
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