Green-backed Heron

Afrikaans name: Groenrugreier

Green-backed Heron

Photo © Steven Herbert

Butorides striatus

The Green-backed Heron is a small heron weighing only around 200 grams and having a length of about 40 cm.

In South Africa their distribution is mainly confined to the northern and southern regions of the country. They can be found near virtually any inland water habitat that is lined with dense vegetation.

The Green-backed Heron is a shy species and is often overlooked as it sits quietly in the vegetation. They do most of their hunting during the day.

They feed on a variety of animals that can be found in or near the water. These include fish, frogs, insects, small reptiles and spiders.

The pair builds a nest made of twigs and reeds usually a few metres off the ground. Sometimes it is made above the water. Between 2 and 5 eggs are laid and the eggs and young are tended to by both parents.

Green-backed Heron skulking in the reeds

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	63	Butorides striatus atricapillus
2nd	63	Butorides striatus
3rd	63	Butorides striatus
4th	63	Butorides striatus
5th	74	Butorides striatus
6th	74	Butorides striata
7th	446	Butorides striata

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	63	Green-backed Heron
2nd	63	Green-backed Heron
3rd	63	Green-backed Heron
4th	63	Green-backed Heron
5th	74	Greenbacked Heron
6th	74	Greenbacked Heron
7th	446	Green-backed Heron

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	63	Groenrug-reier
2nd	63	Groenrug-reier
3rd	63	Groenrug-reier
4th	63	Groenrug-reier
5th	74	Groenrugreier
6th	74	Groenrugreier
7th	446	Groenrugreier

References and further reading

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 28

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 30

The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Published: 1984 - Page: 172

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 24

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 23

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 66

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 55

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 55

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 62

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 38

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 35

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 66

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 180

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 25

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 56

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 66

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 19

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 9

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 30

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 54

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 31

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 1 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 4

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 14

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 50

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 54

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 42

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 173

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 38

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 173

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds