Birds
Purperreiger in rietkraag

Purple Heron

Purple Heron

60
20 hours ago
Spotted
The Purple Heron is a large, slender heron with rich, reddish-purple plumage and a more secretive nature than the Grey Heron. It specializes in dense reedbeds and marshy habitats.
Where to spot
Found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, primarily in extensive freshwater wetlands with dense reedbeds, such as marshes, deltas, and large lakes.
How to spot
Look for its darker, more reddish plumage compared to the Grey Heron, and its more slender, 'snakier' neck. It is often very shy and keeps to dense cover. Observe from a distance with binoculars, looking for subtle movements within reedbeds.
When to spot
Migratory in temperate regions (Europe, parts of Asia), arriving in spring for breeding and departing in autumn. Resident in tropical Africa and parts of Asia. Most active at dawn and dusk.
IMG_6280.jpg
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Purperreiger in rietkraag
IMG_6280.jpg
Credits: wfvanvalkenburg
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Credits: f_snarfel
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Credits: f_snarfel
Purperreiger in rietkraag
Credits: Afbeelding van <a href="https://pixabay.com/nl/users/fleuber-7954782/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3375321">Bernard FLEURANDEAU</a> via <a href="https://pixabay.com/nl//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_med
Unlike the more generalist Grey Heron, the Purple Heron is a reedbed specialist, often using its exceptionally long, flexible toes to grip onto reeds while hunting, a unique adaptation among large herons for navigating dense vegetation.
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Spotted

Recently spotted
4258 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
20 hours ago

Monthly observations

9 observations
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jenny van Dorland
jenny van Dorland
5 months ago
Purple Heron
Zevenhuizen, Zuid-Holland
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+75
Lifer
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J
Joyce Leijendekkers
7 months ago
Purple Heron
Westbroek, Utrecht
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+75
Lifer
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T
Tootiredhenki
5 months ago
Purple Heron
Nieuwegein, Utrecht
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+95
Lifer
Hoogvlieger
Pelicans and Herons spotter
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Robert de Roos
Robert de Roos
2 years ago
Purple Heron
Berkel en Rodenrijs, Zuid-Holland
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+75
Lifer
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K
Kurt Minne
4 months ago
Purple Heron
Antwerpen, Antwerpen
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+75
Lifer
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L
Linda Rullens
1 year ago
Purple Heron
Castricum, Noord-Holland
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+75
Lifer
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Simeon
Simeon
6 months ago
Purple Heron
Lexmond, Utrecht
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+60
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Simeon
Simeon
1 year ago
Purple Heron
Lexmond, Utrecht
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+75
Lifer
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