Green Herons look small and stocky (pictured here), until one is hunting for a meal on the shore of the pond. Then they stretch their neck full length to reach the prey.
They hang out in small freshwater wetlands near ponds and streams lined with thick vegetation. All the better to hide in while hunting.
Herons are opportunistic feeders . . . they'll eat fish or whatever they find along the shore . . . aquatic insects, frogs, grasshoppers, snakes, or small rodents.
A Green Heron Butorides virescens is one of the few birds that actually uses tools. They will try a variety of baits and lures, including leaves, insects, earthworms, twigs, or feathers . . . dropping the item onto the surface of the water and grabbing the small fish that comes up.
We saw this one pick up floating bits and fling them back on to the water surface.
