BIRD TALK: THE GREEN HERON

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By Greg Dunne

                                                
November 2, 2011 (Lake Murray) --This is one of my favorite birds. It’s also John Vanderpoel’s  #183 bird on his 2011 “Big Year” bird list. More on that later.
 
The Green Heron is an odd sort of bird, short and stocky; it reminds me of a cartoon caricature from the 1960’s.  It is smart, tough, and intolerant of other birds--even other herons!  
 
Noisy and loud at times, green herons make many unusual sounds--a sudden “kyow”, or “qua qua.”  The green heron is  able to hover briefly to catch prey.  Its eating habits are what make this bird stand out. Green herons are among of the few tool-using birds and are considered among the world’s most intelligent birds.
 
I’ve been fortunate enough to see this bird feeding for fish along the shore line. It will capture an insect and drop the insect along the shore line to lure fish in and grab the fish!
 
The Green Heron resides in the wetland areas of our East County.  Early in the 20th century, the Green Heron occurred in San Diego County as a migrant and summer resident only.  It was first noted in winter at Lindo Lake in 1928.  
 
I have seen and photographed this bird at Santee Lakes and Lake Murray. It’s not commonly seen, but keep an eye out for it fleeing the tall reeds at the water’s edge.  And if you’re out strolling one of our East County lakes at dusk or dawn, this will be the best time to catch a glimpse of this bird.
 
The male chooses a nesting site before selecting a mate. He defends his nesting territory before and after mating and will mate with only one female a season. He attracts his mate with visual displays and with his skillful nesting site. The Clutch is usually 2-6 pale green eggs. The young sometimes start to leave the nest at 16 days of age, but are not fully fledged and able to fend for themselves until 30-35 days old.
 
John Vanderpoel is having a marvelous “Big Year” in birding. A Big Year in birding (based on the movie in theaters, The Big Year) is to see as many different species of birds that can be seen in a year in the continental United States. John Vanderpoel is at 729 birds with a couple of months to go. He is chasing the record of 745 held by Sandy Komito. Good luck, John!
 
 
 

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