Purple Heron

Description:

Very lucky to have clicked this bird from such close quarters. He was sitting still and we slowly approached him, not rowing too much. The second pic shows the full bird in hiding.

Habitat:

Seen at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary.

Notes:

It feeds in shallow water, spearing fish, frogs, insects and small mammals. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It tends to keep within reedbeds more than the Grey Heron, and is often inconspicuous, despite its size. It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The long neck of Purple Heron looks particularly snake-like, with more of an S-shape in flight. The call is a loud croaking "krek".