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Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea

Photo by ChimeTsetan
Published on Project Noah
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14.9711, 75.037

Field Notes

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.

Species ID Suggestions

Gray Heron

Ardea cinerea cinerea

purple heron

Ardea purpurea

Comments (11)

what a slender neck!
Hi change the description... add info how you find this Egret.
done... sorry ashish, wasnt able to do it yesterday, faced some network problem. :(
Hi.. Chime please update with Ronak's suggestion..!!
I agree with Purple Heron. The markings on the neck are quite diagnostic.
Possible..as they are very sensitive migratory birds... spotted rarely...!! http://www.oiseaux.net/birds/goliath.heron.html
thanks guys. @Ashish, is goliath heron found in south india ??
I checked earlier which shows the bird not matching this spotting... http://www.birding.in/birds/Ciconiiformes/Ardeidae/purple_heron.htm
Ronak is right... Ardea purpurea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Purple_Heron_(Ardea_purpurea)_in_Kolleru,_AP_W3_IMG_4052.jpg
@AshishNimkar its purple heron check reference i gave
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 12, 2011

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