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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Ardeidae
  4. ›
  5. Ardea
  6. ›
  7. Purple Heron

BirdUp · Species

Purple Heron

Ardea purpureaLinnaeus, 1766

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PELECANIFORMES
Family
Ardeidae
Genus
Ardea

At a glance

The Purple Heron, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia.

Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
  • Identification
  • Where

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The purple heron is a wide-ranging heron species. It breeds in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Palearctic. The Western Palearctic populations migrate between breeding and wintering habitats whereas the African and tropical-Asian populations are primarily sedentary, except for occasional dispersive movements. It is similar in appearance to the more common grey heron but is slightly smaller, more slender and has darker plumage. It is also a more evasive bird, favouring densely vegetated habitats near water, particularly reed beds. It hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Wingspan
120 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Watch for a unique freeze posture where the bird holds its neck extended at a sharp diagonal angle rather than holding it vertically.

flight

  • Identify it in flight by its slender, angular profile and the extraordinarily long toes that project significantly far beyond the tail feathers.

plumage

  • The rich chestnut sides of the neck are marked with bold, dark vertical stripes, while the black crown extends into a slender, dangling crest.

size_and_shape

  • Observe the exceptionally long, slender bill and a 'hollow-chested' appearance caused by its very thin, snake-like neck profile.

voice

  • Listen for a harsh, dry 'frarnk' call that is notably higher-pitched and thinner than the deep croaks of other large herons.

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Purple Heron live in Australia?

The Purple Heron is native to Australia.

BreedingPAL, OR, AF : widespread

Non-breedingVagrant

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant

1 region recorded