Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Appearance:
Small, stocky wading bird
Long neck and legs but shorter than most herons
Dark crown
Long, sharply pointed bill

Adult: (not photographed)

   Glossy, greenish-black cap

   Chestnut neck with white line down front

   Greenish back and wings

   Gray underparts

   Yellow legs

   Dark bill

Juvenile:
   Duller than adult
   Neck and underparts streaked brown and white
   Brown back and wings with buff spotting
   Greenish-yellow legs and bill
   Yellow markings around eye, extend to the bridge of the bill

Listen to its call.

Taking advantage of another gorgeous fall day, I took a walk around Swan Lake this afternoon. This young heron, spotted near the dock on the east side of the lake, was enjoying some time in the sun as well. With its streaked neck, I initially mistook it for an American Bittern. However, even at a distance, its dark crown stood out, distinguishing it from the larger bird. 

Learn more about the Green Heron.  

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

Appearance:

• Medium, heron-like wading bird
• Stout body and neck
• Relatively short legs
• Dark brown upperparts
• Underparts streaked brown and white
• Black slashes on sides of neck
• Yellow bill with dark upper ridge 

Listen to its call.


I'm very excited about today's bird. For those of you who have been following my blog from the beginning, you may remember my disappointment last January at not being able to locate this bird in the reed beds at Swan Lake.  On a number of occasions, I heard its distinctive call but it always managed to keep itself well hidden. Today, thankfully, it wasn't able to blend in quite as well with its surroundings, not that it didn't try.  As soon as it caught sight of me, it ducked its head into the reeds.

Learn more about the American Bittern.

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

Appearance:

Large wading bird with long neck

Long, black legs

Gray body
Red forehead

White cheeks

Dark bill

Yellow eyes

Tufted feathers over rump

Listen to its call.

While driving down Puckle Road today, my husband suddenly slammed on the brakes and yelled (very loudly) for me to "get out of the car". I must admit I was a little taken aback at first until I spotted these birds flying overhead. 

Later in the afternoon, I answered the telephone at home to hear an excited voice (my husband's, again) telling me that a large group of cranes were flying over our house. "I'm serious. Hurry".  What surprised me even more was that he was right. I counted twenty of them. 

So, to the farmers in the Martindale area who may have witnessed the earlier incident, I just want to assure you that my husband is really a very nice man. He's just becoming a birding enthusiast. 

mating dance (photo taken on Haida Gwaii)

Learn more about the Sandhill Crane.

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Appearance:
Large wading bird
Tall and thin
Long neck, legs and wings
Grayish-blue back, wings and belly
Gray or reddish S-shaped neck
Shaggy feathers on neck and back
White crown stripe
Black plume from eyes to back of neck
Yellow eyes
Long, thick bill

Listen to its call.

 
Driving down Beach Drive yesterday, I spotted this heron perched in a tree right next to the road. Another one was in a similar position further down the road. I have no idea what they were doing (possibly taking a rest from fishing?).

While I was watching, one of them extending its neck fully and partly opened its wings as if it was about to take off.  Given its 'movement' afterwards (!), this seemingly odd behaviour had nothing to do with flight.

Learn more about the Great Blue Heron.

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