Green-backed Heron

1. Bird Name
English name: Green-backed Heron
Scientific (Latin) name: Butorides virescens

2. Appearance
The Green-backed Heron, as its name suggests, sports a deep green color on its back that is a perfect contrast to its mainly grey or blue-grey body. The green hue is particularly evident in certain lights. The bird’s neck is often streaked with white, grey or buff and its underparts lighter in comparison. It has a robust, sharply pointed beak – perfect for its hunting needs. The eyes are a brilliant yellow, another interesting contrast against its darker feathers. Both males and females share a similar appearance, making them hard to distinguish by physical traits alone.

3. Size
Green-backed Herons are small yet graceful herons with an average length ranging from 40 to 50 cm (16-20 inches). They display an impressively broad wingspan of up to 65 cm (26 inches). The weight of an average adult ranges from 200 to 300 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Despite their small size, Green-backed Herons have quite a broad geographical spread. They are found throughout the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, and certain regions of Asia. These birds are also known inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Indonesia. They prefer freshwater habitats, well adept to swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes, and ponds. They are equally comfortable in rice paddies and flooded fields.

5. Interesting Facts
One engaging fact about the Green-backed Heron is its cunning hunting technique. This ingenious bird uses bait to catch its prey; it often drops small pieces of bread or insects on the water’s surface to lure fish. This bird has also adapted well to urban settings and is often spotted in city parks next to ponds. Moreover, contrary to usual bird migration, Green-backed Herons often migrate during the night.

6. Diet
Their diet mostly includes fish, which is complemented with amphibians, insects, small mammals, and frequently aquatic invertebrates. Slightly modified by habitat, these birds rely on their agility and precision to strike their prey.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Green-backed Herons are solitary birds and are more likely to be seen alone or in pairs rather than in groups. Their call is a series of sharp squawking, ‘kuk-kuk-kuk’ sounds when they are alarmed or disturbed.

8. Conservation Status
The Green-backed Heron is currently not under any immediate threat and is placed under the category of ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List.

9. Lifespan
The lifespan of a Green-backed Heron is estimated to be around five years in the wild, although some birds have been known to live up to ten years or longer in captive conditions.

10. Additional Notes
In some places, they are locally known by their onomatopoeic names such as “skyg”, mimicking their call. Some people believe that the arrival of these herons signals the coming of rain. As predators, they play an important role in controlling the population of small aquatic animals in their ecosystems. Their tolerance to human proximity makes them a delightful presence in urban settings, attracting bird watchers and casual observers alike. Despite their relatively humble appearance, these small herons have a rich character, and their unique antics continuously mesmerize enthusiasts around the world.