| Purple Heron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Ardea |
| Species: | Ardea purpurea |
The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a Eurasian heron similar to the Grey Heron.
Description[]
The neck is often held in this "S" shape.
With its long neck (kept folded in flight), long, slim legs, straight, narrow, pointed bill, and two-feather black crest, to the Grey Heron's, but the size is smaller: the body measures 78-90 cm, the wingspan measures 120-150 cm. Compared to the Grey Heron, the Purple Heron has a more slender, lankier appearance, with a thinner neck, a narrower head that merges more into the bill, and longer fingers. Overall, the Purple Heron has a darker appearance than most similar herons. The upperparts are slate grey, the underparts are chestnut red. The bill and legs are yellow-orange, and the eyes are pale yellow. The neck is red and white with long, narrow black stripes. The underwing coverts are red. The crown is black.
Voice[]
Usually silent, the Purple Heron occasionally makes hoarse calls, slightly higher-pitched than the Grey Heron's.
Behaviour[]
The Purple Heron eats fish, amphibians, reptiles, young birds, and crustaceans. It breeds in colonies from April to August, nesting in reeds or trees and laying 4-5 bluish-green eggs. One annual brood. The nest is a large platform made of sticks. A long-distance migratory bird, the Purple Heron winters in Africa.
Distribution and Habitat[]
A Eurasian species, the Purple Heron is not found over the 53rd parallel north. It temporarily breeds in central and south Europe, parts of West Asia, northern part of east Asia, a portion of the Eurasian steppe zone, central Asia and north Africa. Its temporary wintering territories are in a small part of Arabia and the Nile. It is resident in sub-Saharan Africa, most of east Asia, south and southeast Asia. There is a small Purple Heron population on Cape Verde considered being of a separate species by some authorities (See Bourne's Heron). An aquatic species, the Purple Heron lives in marshes, spending most of its time hidden in the reeds. It forages in shallow water in gaps among reeds and along rivers, or in open and wet meadows.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Closer Look (6193180285).jpg (606 KB)")
