A small, common heron found almost anywhere in Seychelles, even the tiniest islands. Despite its English name, its back is dark grey rather than green, and young birds are streaky brown. Green-backed herons are common on the coast, where you can see them fishing in shallow water. Because they have fairly short legs, they don’t wade in the sea but often perch, crouched, on rocks at the edge of the water to hunt fish. And they know how to attract fish – they catch insects and use them as bait by dropping them on the surface. There are accounts of Green-backed herons using bread thrown by tourists as bait to catch fish at the marshland at the former Plantation Club. Green-backed herons have a loud warning call, a harsh double croak, and this is often the first thing to tell you when one is nearby. They make small nests usually shallow structures of twigs placed well hidden amongst the branches of trees or bushes.
Facts:
Scientific Name: Butorides striata
Creole name: Manik
Wingspan: 52-60cm.
Population in Seychelles: Unknown, but very large.
World Distribution: Tropical parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, Central America.
Distribution in Seychelles: Breeds throughout the Seychelles, even on tiny islands.
Habitat: Rocky shores, mangrove, shallow reefs, freshwater marshes.
Nests: Solitary, in trees and shrubs.
Eggs: 2-4, pale blue or green.
Diet: Tiny fishes, frogs, insects, skinks, crabs, eggs of other birds.
Identification: A tiny grey-brown heron.
See more
Species Fact Sheet at BirdLife Data Zone
(Photo credit: Dao Nguyen)