Purple Heron

Afrikaans name: Rooireier

Purple Heron

Photo © Steven Herbert

Ardea purpurea

The Purple Heron has a widespread distribution - it is found in Africa and parts of Europe and Asia.

It is a large bird reaching a height of around 90 cm when standing. Despite it being a tall bird it weighs around a kilogram or less.

The Purple Heron eats frogs, fish, small mammals and insects. It normally hunts in shallow water.

These herons breed in colonies in trees or reedbeds. They make a nest out of sticks. The breeding colonies are always near water.

Top

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 39

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 172

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 172

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 20

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 21

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 15

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 8

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 5

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 26

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 52

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 74

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 74

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 3

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 21

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 28

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 34

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 47

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 47

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 56

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 60

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 18

The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 81

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 26

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 30

List of South African Birds