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Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea

Description:

The Purple Heron is a large bird, 78–90 cm (31–35 in) in length with a standing height of up to 94 cm (37 in) and a 120–152 cm (47–60 in) wingspan. However, it is slender for its size, weighing only 0.5–1.35 kg (1.1–3.0 lb). It is somewhat smaller than the Grey Heron, from which it can be distinguished by its darker reddish-brown plumage, and, in adults, darker grey back. It has a narrower yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults.

Notes:

Found in agricultural mud fields. Near to irrigation water channels. Very slender neck and small head, hard to spot among tall grasses.

2 Species ID Suggestions

ronak1987
ronak1987 12 years ago
purple heron
Ardea purpurea Purple Heron
Ashish
Ashish 12 years ago
Gray Heron
Ardea cinerea cinerea Grey Heron


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11 Comments

Seema
Seema 12 years ago

what a slender neck!

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Hi change the description... add info how you find this Egret.

ChimeTsetan
ChimeTsetan 12 years ago

done... sorry ashish, wasnt able to do it yesterday, faced some network problem. :(

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Hi.. Chime please update with Ronak's suggestion..!!

Liam
Liam 12 years ago

I agree with Purple Heron. The markings on the neck are quite diagnostic.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Possible..as they are very sensitive migratory birds... spotted rarely...!!
http://www.oiseaux.net/birds/goliath.her...

ChimeTsetan
ChimeTsetan 12 years ago

thanks guys. @Ashish, is goliath heron found in south india ??

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

I checked earlier which shows the bird not matching this spotting...
http://www.birding.in/birds/Ciconiiforme...

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Ronak is right...
Ardea purpurea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Purple...

ronak1987
ronak1987 12 years ago

@AshishNimkar its purple heron check reference i gave

ronak1987
ronak1987 12 years ago

yup its purple heron

ChimeTsetan
Spotted by
ChimeTsetan

Hubballi, Goa, India

Spotted on Sep 12, 2011
Submitted on Sep 12, 2011

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Reference

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