The green heron is a small species of heron that reaches an average size of about'45 cm. Its long neck is often held close to its body, making it appear even smaller than it really is. The bird has a shiny green-black crest. The bird's back is green and the belly grey. The neck and neck are brown and the throat white. The wings transition from dark grey to green-blue at the tips.
The beak is grey at the top and yellowish at the bottom. The bird has short yellow/red legs. The eyes are also yellow in colour. Females are slightly smaller than males and often have a duller plumage, especially during the breeding season. Young specimens are also duller in colour. The neck of the young are brown with white stripes and the legs are greenish-yellow.
This photo was taken on Bonaire just past Witte Pan.
Pieter Smit was born in Arnhem and has lived on Bonaire since 2010. In his spare time, he enjoys taking photos, mainly of the Caribbean island's colourful birds... Read more…