These fuzzy little Green Heron nestlings got up from a nap to wait eagerly for their lunch delivery service! “Green Herons eat mainly small fish . . . but also feed on other small creatures such as insects, spiders, crustaceans, snails . . . and amphibians.” (All About Birds)
Here comes Mom – or Dad – with lunch! “Both the male and female brood and feed the chicks, which may stay with their parents for more than a month after leaving the nest, as they learn to forage.” (All About Birds)
They grow up fast, and are ready to leave the nest in only 16-17 days. In fact, even as I watched, this 12-day old Green Heron chick decided to clamber bravely along the outside edge of the nest.
Just for comparison, the image below👇🏼 shows how the little ones looked a day or so after hatching. You can still see the egg tooth used to help crack open the shell.
Birder's Journey 
So adorable and beautiful !
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Yes, they are, and we are so lucky to see them so close to the boardwalk.
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All babies are cute, especially the fuzzy ones. 🙂
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Just saw these chicks again today, and they are bigger and fuzzier than ever😉
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Great sequence, awesome pics.👍
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Thanks, Berny! You’ll have to come over to GC soon and see these chicks before they fledge. Luckily, there are two more green heron nests with eggs that still haven’t hatched yet. And there are numerous Red-winged Blackbird nests all around now, too.
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Wonderful photos! I had only heard of the egg tooth up until now 😊
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Thanks for your visit, Belinda! I’ve seen photos of the egg tooth before, but I think this is the first I’ve actually seen it so evident in a new, live nestling. ☺️
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What a great time of year to be out enjoying nature!
Thank you for sharing terrific photographs of some pretty adorable chicks.
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Thank you for stopping by and for your nice comments, Wally. It certainly is a fantastic time to be out, enjoying the natural world. So much going on at this time of year.!
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I have never seen Green herons babies. They are so adorable! These are fantastic moments and photographs!
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Thanks so very much, Kaya! They are definitely adorable.
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Great pics! Cute heronlings!
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Lol! Thanks so much! I love that term, heronlings. ☺️
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Excellent 👏👏👏. Went looking for some chicks the other, no luck. Thanks for posting.
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Thanks for checking them out. I imagine they’ll be coming your way soon. I always remember being amazed that we actually had green herons in upstate New York…. Though probably not nesting green herons😅
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I especially love the expectant looks on fluffy green heron babies BJ, all lovely pics. It appears much easier to get pics of your green heron than our very shy and elusive striated heron who is its cousin in Oz 😊
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I love how you noticed the expectant looks on the babies’ faces, AB. ☺️. Yes, they literally stood up and watched with Eager anticipation as their parent climbed up the branch toward the nest. I believe I’ve seen the striated heron, though I’ve never been anywhere near Australia. I wonder if one in Central America has a similar name or appearance?
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Amazing pictures! Those babies are so cute!
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They ARE cute, I agree, Kathy. With all that fuzz, it’s hard to imagine that they will grow up to have such sleek and smooth plumage in no time.
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They’re cute, they’re adorable but they ain’t going to win a prettiest baby competition at the local pharmacy… 😀
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Lol!! 😅. Interesting, isn’t it, DeWets, how much better looking most birds become when they’re adults?
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😀
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What an exciting sighting! They’re so cute!!
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We are lucky that these green herons (and so many other birds) enjoy nesting, so near the boardwalk at our wetlands.
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You are!😄
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This is absolutely adorable and charming😊
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Many thanks for your lovely comment! I must say that I agree. 😉
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Amazing photos of this cute chicks. I have never seen them in the wild, thank you so much for sharing.
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I’m so glad to share them with you, Tanja. They are extremely common here, and they’re so special. ☺️
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Yes, very special, especially to someone who has never seen them as babies.
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I haven’t seen these baby green herons.
I love seeing your images. I found your site and let’s follow each other. Anita
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Thank you, Anita. I just saw your beautiful travel photos!
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Great fun seeing these adorable chicks, BJ. You had me smiling and chuckling, thank you.
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Thanks for enjoying them along with me, Jet! Hope all is well with you.
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lovely babies — there are Green Herons around Tucson Arizona, believe it or not
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