Ardea purpurea
The Purple Heron is a tall, slender wading bird with distinctive colouration. Its long neck and body are primarily purplish-grey, with a darker back and wings. The head features a black crown and crest, with a striking black stripe extending down the neck.
Both sexes look primarily similar, with females generally smaller, sometimes lighter, and paler. There are no significant seasonal changes in plumage.
Juveniles have a more muted plumage, lacking the vibrant purple tones of adults. They display a rufous-brown colouration with streaked necks and underparts.
Length
78cm to 90cm
Wingspan
120cm to 150cm
Weight
500g to 1.4kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Purple Grey Brown
Secondary Colour
Rufous White
Beak Colour
Yellow
Leg Colour
Yellow Brown
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Purple Herons inhabit freshwater and brackish wetlands, including marshes, reedbeds, and the edges of lakes and slow-moving rivers. They are widely distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia, with populations extending from Spain to Southeast Asia.
In Europe, they are summer visitors to countries like France, Spain, and Italy. Small breeding numbers have been reported in the UK, primarily in southeast England. Many European birds migrate to Africa during winter, while Asian populations move to warmer southern regions.
Up to 1,800 meters
Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Purple Heron. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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