Observations on the Breeding Habits of Green-backed Herons (Butorides striatus)

Observations and investigations on the breeding habits of the Green-backed Herons (Butorides striatus) were carried out from April to September in 2001 in Hefei.Most nest-sites were selected in tall broadleaf trees near buildings.In most cases,a single nest was located in one tree,without neighboring with other herons.Normally a nest had 3-5 eggs,and the incubation period was 21 days.After being fledged for 41 days,the young birds flight off the nest on the 42nd day and the rate of survival upon flying away was 62.5%.The young birds fed small fish.Fiftysix effective nests were found in 4 campuses and a park,and therefore the total 224 individuals were estimated.The Green-backed Herons in Hefei is the first breeding record.