Birds
Purperreiger in rietkraag

Purple Heron

Purple Heron

65
1 day 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
2274 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
1 day ago

Monthly observations

3 observations
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Simeon
Simeon
1 month ago
Purple Heron
Lexmond, Utrecht
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+35
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Simeon
Simeon
1 year ago
Purple Heron
Lexmond, Utrecht
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+70
Lifer
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Malu
Malu
3 months ago
Purple Heron
Wezep, Gelderland
Spotted Purple Heron
Spotted Purple Heron
+70
Lifer
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2

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