The Green Heron is one of the smallest of the different herons we usually see in Central Florida, but that small size just makes them more stealthy as they stalk prey.
They’re only about 18 inches long with a wingspan of about 26 inches, and their brownish-greenish colors help them blend in among marshes, lakes and ponds where they hunt.
“Green Herons stand motionless at the water’s edge as they hunt for fish and amphibians. They typically stand on vegetation or solid ground, and they don’t wade as often as larger herons,” AllAboutBirds.com noted.
So perhaps it was a rare treat when I got to see this little Green Heron hunting in the shallow water next to the Cypress Boardwalk at Orlando Wetlands Park.
When I first caught site of it, I could tell this Green Heron was already in stealth mode – moving ever so slowly and stretching his body down lower to the surface of the water. Then – splash! – he lurched forward, went under the water and caught a little fish for a little lunch.
