|
September 2008
 The
beautiful heron family is comprised of medium to large
wading birds with long necks and spearlike bills, and
includes such graceful members as the green heron, the
American bittern, night herons, cattle and snowy egrets,
and the great blue heron.
August and September are when
northern populations of herons peak, and we note their
treks across the sky. But surprisingly, many herons in
flight these days are heading any which way but south.
This unusual behavior is known as post-breeding
dispersal and is unique to the heron family, as members
of this year’s brood may wander several hundred miles in
random directions to non-nesting areas. After a few days
or weeks of wanderlust, these youngsters correct their
lines of travel to begin the southward journey like
their parents and all previous generations, there to
mature in the wetlands of the southland.
 Green
Heron
Butorides virescens
16-18 inches; wingspan
24-26 inches
Habitat:
woodland streams, marshes, ponds
Range Key:
●
Breeding ●
Year-round
© Tim Herd
photo by Len Rue Jr. |
