Parents will tend young for at least a month after they have left the nest. Fish is relative to ease of obtaining them. Most of eastern United States and very lowest portions of Canada and coastal fringe of the Pacific including Baja. The birds slowly crouch and wait for food to come by. Their neck is like the shaft of a javelin and quickly prey is speared.
Flight is rapid with deep wing beats.
Flies with neck semi-extended. Some green-backs have been seen dropping bait of insects into the water and waiting for minnows to feed before having lunch. Most are solitary. The genus name means bittern-like. Inc. Copyright 1995 Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.