Green-backed Heron

Status Uncommon visitant. The first record was of several in a "remarkable flight of birds" to Brier Island on 15 April 1881 (Chamberlain 1881). Although there were only about a dozen subsequent records up to 1960, it has become more regular, with annual occurrences since 1964, mostly in the southern counties. Among these, there were 7 in April, 45 in May, 18 in June, 5 in July, 24 in August, 12 in September, 11 in October and 2 in November. The earliest was on 9 April 1981 and the latest on 13 November 1981.

Description Length: 39-56 cm. Adults: Top of head and crest dark blackish green; sides of head and neck chestnut or maroon; white streak from chin to breast; back and wings glossy green, the wing coverts narrowly margined with buff; underparts ashy; legs and feet greenish yellow. Immatures: Similar, but neck and breast are streaked with black.

Range The North American subspecies breeds from southwestern British Columbia, southern Nevada, central Arizona, Kansas, central Michigan, southern Ontario and southern New Brunswick, south through the West Indies and Panama. Winters from southern United States southward. Other races occur in South America and the Old World.

Remarks Unlike most herons, which nest in colonies, this bird usually nests singly, far removed from others of its kind. The nest, usually in a bush or low tree, is a mere platform of twigs without lining.

A characteristic of this species is the partial web between its middle and outer toes. This enables the bird to swim with a measure of assurance. A dislodged nestling will swim with ease, even grace, to safety. Like many other species not strong in flight, the Green-backed Heron migrates under the protective cover of darkness.

Chapman (1934) mentions it as breeding in Nova Scotia but cites no evidence. Its recent pattern of occurrence suggests that it may have done so or soon will.