Diet
What do green herons eat?
Fish, frogs and insects stalked from the water's edge.
Herons and egrets (Ardeidae)Green HeronButorides virescens
Spring and summer diet
- Minnows, frogs, crayfish and dragonflies
Fall and winter diet
- Fish in mild climates; most migrate
Best feeder foods
- None — a fish-bearing pond is the draw
One of few birds that uses bait — it drops insects or twigs on the water to lure fish.
Where green herons need winter food
Regions where green herons are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do green herons eat?
Fish, frogs and insects stalked from the water's edge.
What is the best food to feed green herons?
None — a fish-bearing pond is the draw.
What do green herons eat in winter?
Fish in mild climates; most migrate.
Sources
- Green Heron — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green Heron life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green Heron — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.