The smallest of the North American herons has a dark green back, buff chest, blackish yellow bill, and yellow iris and legs. During breeding, the males have bright orange legs. At one time he was called the Green Heron or Little Green Heron.
He is a shy little bird that prefers the seclusion of a covered canopy offered by mangrove and cypress swamps and wet marshes. They are a solitary loner but during nesting times may be found in large colonies with other herons. Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, and a variety of insects.
In North America, the Green-backed Heron can be found as far north as British Columbia and throughout the eastern half of the United States as well as the coastal west coast.
They are content to stay very still for a long time waiting for food to come by.
While small, I personally think theses are among the most beautiful of the wading birds.
All of the birds on this page were photographed in Orane County, Florida.