Green Heron

The Green Heron (Scientific name - Butorides virescens) is a small heron that can be found from northern South America to as far north as southern Canada, although not found in mountains of the western U.S. They are a very colourful bird, with deep green on the back and a chestnut to almost purple breast and neck. Wings are a dark grey. They have a dark green crown and dark upper bill with a yellow patch in front of the eye. Legs are yellow and not overly long. Photos taken in Abbotsford, British Columbia in summer 2016.

Malayan Night Heron

The Malayan Night Heron (Scientific name - Gorsachius melanolophus) is a medium sized heron found in South and South East Asia.  They are sometimes known as the Malaysian Night Heron. They breed in India, Taiwan, China and the Philippines. Adults are reddish brown with a dark crown and dark underwings. The juveniles have black and white spotsin and streaked underparts. The photos were taken in Taichung (adult - top photo) and Taipei (juveniles) in August 2015.

American Bittern

The American Bittern (Scientific name - Botaurus lentiginosus) is a stocky heron found in marshes and reed beds. It Breeds in Canada and the Northern U.S. and migrates to Mexico and Central America and is also found in the Caribbean. The American Bittern is a solitary bird and because of its coloration is difficult to see. If it senses it is being approached it will stand still and lift its head straight up to blend in. 

 The American Bittern has a thick neck and bill. It is mainly brown with beige and white streaks/stripes. 

Photos taken March 2013 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C.

Tricolored Heron

The Tricolored Heron (Scientific name - Egretta tricolour) is a medium to large sized heron common to the U.S. Gulf States.  It is also found in Northern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and as far south as Central Brazil and Peru. It was once known as the Louisiana Heron. 

 This heron has a long slender neck, dark grey-blue plumage with a white belly and white stripe on the front of its neck. The bill is long and pointed and yellowish and greyish. 

Photos were taken in February 2011 at Lake Tohopekalga, Florida.

Little Blue Heron

The Little Blue Heron (Scientific name - Egretta caerulea) is a small heron common to the South East U.S., especially the Gulf States. It is also found in the Caribbean, Central American and a far south as Uruguay and Peru. It is occasionally found farther north in the Eastern U.S. It has blue-grey plumage (darker than that of the Great Blue Heron) and a long pointed blue-grey bill with a tip. It is interesting that first year birds of this species are completely white. Photo was taken in March 2011 in Jupiter, Florida.

Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron (Scientific name - Ardea herodias) is the largest of the herons in North America. They can be found in most Canadian Provinces and all of the Continental U.S. and in winter in Mexico and Central America. They can be found in both salt and fresh water habitats. For breeding they often gather in groups in rookeries where they build stick nests high above the ground. I am fortunate to live close to one at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack, B.C.

The Great Blue Heron has mostly grey-blue plumage with long legs and a long sinuous neck. It has a thick orange bill and white cheeks and a black stripe over its eye. Adults have distinctive head, chest and wing plumes. 

The two top photos were taken in April 2012 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C. The third photo was taken in January 2011 in Ladner, B.C. and the bottom photo was taken in October 2013 in Abbotsford, B.C.

Black Crowned Night Heron

The Black Crowned Night Heron (Scientific name - Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium sized heron that is found in many parts of the world. In many places it is simply known as a Night Heron.

This heron is said to be the most widespread heron in the world. It is distinguished by it's dark crown and back and short neck and dark bill. This species is most active at dusk and during the night.

While I have seen these birds closer to home in B.C. (most notably at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary), the photos shown were taken at Kahului, Maui, Hawaii in November 2012.