Bird Guide

Green Heron vs Striated Heron

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Medium202 gWetland

The green heron is a relatively small heron; adult body length is about 44 cm (17 in). The neck is often pulled in tight against the body. Adults have a glossy, greenish-black cap, an iridescent greenish back and wings that are gray-black grading into green or blue, a chestnut neck with a pair or more of white lines down the front, gray underparts and short yellow legs. The bill is dark with a long, sharp point. Female adults tend to be smaller than males, and have duller and lighter plumage, particularly in the breeding season.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Green Heron
Recorded by Jonathan Sowers · Skippack Township (near Collegeville), Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

Striated Heron

Butorides striata

Medium202 gWetland

The striated heron is 35–48 cm (14–19 in) in length, weighs 130–250 g (4.6–8.8 oz) and has a wing-span of 52–60 cm (20–24 in). The sexes are alike. The plumage is variable below, from mid grey to pinkish-purple or orangey toned. Adults have a blue-grey back and wings, white underparts, a black cap, a dark line extends from the bill to under the eye and short yellow legs. Juveniles are browner above and heavily streaked below.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wilfredor · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Green Heron and Striated Heron.