-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies (Order Pelecaniformes)

-Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Family Ardeidae)

-Typical Herons and Egrets (Subfamily Ardeinae)

-Green-backed Herons (Genus Butorides)

-Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

A relatively small, dark, compact, crested wading bird, the Green Heron is a common species of wetland thickets. With a blue-green back, rusty-colored neck and dark cap. The bill is dark with a long, sharp point. Usually in a crouched position, partly concealed in vegetation, waiting patiently for prey. Sometimes they drop food, insects, or other small objects on the water's surface to attract fish, making them one of the few known tool-using species. They eat mainly small fish but other items include grasshoppers, snakes, earthworms, snails, and small rodents.