Spring Migration is well underway with increasing numbers of colorful warblers arriving in Central Park. But many birders were focused on a magnificent Green Heron in the North Woods last week.
Text and Photographs by Boysenberry45
At times shy and reclusive, this small, intelligent, beautifully-feathered bird is seasonally monogamous. The Green Heron is a master fisher, one of the few birds known to use bait to lure its prey, dropping a tasty morsel on the surface of the water and patiently waiting for its prey to “take the bait”, after which the heron will pounce.
More active in the early morning and late afternoon, look for this gem at the water’s edge. At about 17” long, it is about half the size of a Great Egret and easy to miss, except for its enormous, pointed-end beak. We can thank the Green Heron for helping reduce the local population of rats, frogs, and other creatures – they are not especially picky eaters!
We’ve seen a black-crowned night heron in the duck pond quite a few times.
stunning
If you like this sort of thing, there are a number of NY birder accounts on Twitter you can follow.
I like the part about Green Herons taste for rats. For that reason, these birds have an open invitation to visit 90th Street between CPW and Columbus Avenue.
tons of blue jays in nyc! there’s usually a nest up in the eaves of the swedish marionette theater (south side).
Also seen in prospect and highland parks