Green heron
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Conservation Status: Not Extinct (Low Concern)
Photo Credit: Keenan Adams/USFWS
About: You may be familiar with the great blue heron that stands tall in the marsh looking for its prey, but have you ever heard of the green heron? If you havenβt, thatβs okay! The green heron stands at 18 inches and is much more secretive than its commonly seen cousin. If you see this solitary bird, you might find it crouching patiently until a fish swims by, at which point it will snatch it up quickly with its sharp bill. They are even known to use feathers or little twigs as bait to lure their prey to them.
On the Refuge: So, how can you see this bird on the refuge if it is always hiding? Like most birds, the best way to find it is to listen for its call. The call is a sharp kyowk! or skyow! call, or at times you may here a kuk kuk kuk call on repeat. If you do hear these sounds, look out into the marsh, among the heavy vegetation, for a dark blue or dullish bird with a green iridescence on the its back. Good luck finding this elusive bird!
Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/green-heron, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/lifehistory