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{{short description|Species of bird}}
{{distinguish |text= the [[reddish egret]]}}
{{Good article}}
{{speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Ardea purpurea'' |author=BirdLife International |date=2019 |page=e.T22697031A154816177 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22697031A154816177.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = SL Bundala NP asv2020-01 img04.jpg
| image_caption = Adult, [[Bundala National Park]], Sri Lanka
| genus = Ardea
| species = purpurea
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766
| range_map = ArdeaPurpureaIUCNver2019 1.png
| range_map_caption = Range of ''A. purpurea''{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#008000|Resident|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#007FFF|Non-breeding|outline=gray}}
}}

The '''purple heron''' ('''''Ardea purpurea''''') is a wide-ranging [[heron]] [[species]]. It breeds in [[Africa]], central and southern [[Europe]], and southern and eastern [[Palearctic]]. The Western Palearctic populations [[bird migration|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 bed]]s. It hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush.

Purple herons are [[Bird colony|colonial]] breeders and build a bulky nest out of dead reeds or sticks close to the water' edge among reeds or in dense vegetation. About five bluish-green eggs are laid and are [[Egg incubation|incubated]] by both birds. The young hatch about four weeks later and [[fledge]] six weeks after that. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] notes that the global population trend is downwards, largely because of the drainage of wetlands, but assesses the purple heron's conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]".

==Description==
The purple heron is a large bird, {{convert|78|-|97|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length with a standing height from {{convert|70|to|94|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a {{convert|120|–|152|cm|in|abbr=on}} wingspan.<ref name=arkive/><ref name=Ali/> However, it is slender for its size, weighing only {{convert|0.5|to|1.35|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=CRC/> It is somewhat smaller than the [[grey heron]], from which it can be distinguished by its darker reddish-brown [[plumage]], and, in adults, its darker grey back. Adults have the forehead and the crown of the head black, with a dark stripe down the back of the neck that terminates in a slender, dangling crest. This is shorter than the crest of the grey heron and does not exceed {{convert|140|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}. The sides of the head and the neck are buffish chestnut, with dark streaks and lines down either side of the whole the neck. The mantle is oily brown and the upper scapular feathers are elongated but not the lower ones. The rest of the upper parts and the tail are brownish grey. The front of the neck is paler than the sides and there are some elongated feathers at the base of the neck which are streaked with white, chestnut and black. The breast is chestnut brown, with some blackening at the side, and the belly and under-tail coverts are black. The brownish-yellow beak is long, straight and powerful, and is brighter in colour in breeding adults. The [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]] is yellow and the legs are brown at the front and yellowish behind.<ref name=Witherby>{{cite book |title=Handbook of British Birds, Volume 3: Hawks to Ducks |editor-last=Witherby |editor-first=H. F. |year=1943 |publisher=H. F. and G. Witherby Ltd. |pages=133–137 }}</ref>

The call is a harsh "frarnk", but is quieter and more high-pitched than that of the grey heron. It is generally a less noisy bird, though similar guttural sounds are heard emanating from the [[heronry]]. It is also less robust, and appears somewhat hollow-chested. Its head and neck are more slender and snake-like than the grey heron and its toes much longer. Unlike that bird, it often adopts a posture with its neck extending obliquely, and even nestlings tend to use this stance.<ref name=Witherby/>

==Taxonomy and naming==
There are three or four [[subspecies]]:<ref name=IOC/>
* ''A. p. purpurea'' – [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766: [[Nominate subspecies#Nominotypical subspecies and subspecies autonyms|nominate]], found in Africa, Europe north to the [[Netherlands]], and southwestern Asia east to [[Kazakhstan]].
* ''A. p. bournei'' – [[René de Naurois|de Naurois]], 1966: [[Bourne's heron]]. Found in the [[Cape Verde Islands]], included in ''purpurea'' by some authors, but treated as a distinct species ''Ardea bournei'' by some others.<ref name=ornitaxa/>
* ''A. p. madagascariensis'' – [[E. D. van Oort|van Oort]], 1910: found in [[Madagascar]].
* ''A. p. manilensis'' – Meyen, 1834: found in Asia from the [[Indian Subcontinent]] east to the [[Philippines]] and [[Indonesia]], and north to [[Primorsky Krai]], [[Russia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=824406#null|title=ITIS - Report: ''Ardea purpurea manilensis''}}</ref>

The scientific name comes from [[Latin]] ''ardea'' "heron", and ''purpureus'', "coloured purple".<ref name=job>{{cite book | last=Jobling |first=J. A |year=2010 |title=The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names |publisher=Christopher Helm |location=London |isbn=978-1-4081-2501-4 |pages=54, 325 |url=https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling/page/n54}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
[[File:Ardea_purpurea_-Lake_Baringo,_Great_Rift_Valley,_Kenya_-adult_and_chicks-8.jpg|thumb|Adult ''A. p. purpurea'' with chicks at [[Lake Baringo]], Kenya]]
[[File:Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) by Shantanu Kuveskar.jpg|thumb|Immature ''A. p. manilensis'', [[Maharashtra]], India]]
The purple heron has a mostly [[Palearctic realm|palaearctic]] distribution and breeds in Europe, Asia and Africa. The range of the western race extends from Portugal eastwards across much of central and southern Europe and parts of North Africa as far as [[Lake Balkhash]] in Kazakhstan. In Africa, the bird breeds in Senegal, down the east coast of Africa and in Madagascar. The eastern race extends from the [[Indian Subcontinent]], eastwards to eastern China and the Philippines, and northwards to the basins of the [[Amur River]] and the [[Ussuri River]] at about 49°N. The southern race is restricted to Madagascar,<ref name=Hancock>{{cite book|author1=Hancock, J. |author2=Kushlan, J. A.|title=The Herons Handbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ldzxpcqepksC&pg=PT108 |year=2010 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4081-3496-2 |pages=108–110}}</ref> and a small population of purple herons on the [[Cape Verde|Cape Verde Islands]] is regarded as a separate race by some authorities.<ref name=ornitaxa/>

Between August and October, birds of the western population [[Bird migration|migrate]] southwards to tropical Africa, returning northwards in March. Purple herons often overshoot their normal range on their return, and are [[Vagrancy (biology)|vagrants]] to northern Europe including Britain. The eastern population is largely resident, though some birds from the northern part of the range fly southwards to Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. The African birds are resident.<ref name=Hancock/>

The purple heron inhabits marshes, lagoons and lakes surrounded by dense vegetation. It may frequent mangrove swamps on the coast but it usually chooses freshwater habitats, particularly locations with ''[[Phragmites]]'' [[reed bed]]s. It also visits mudflats, river banks, ditches and canals.<ref name=Witherby/> In the Cape Verde Islands, it is more likely to be seen in the open, on arid slopes.<ref name=Hancock/>

==Behaviour and ecology==
[[File:Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) juvenile in flight Danube delta.jpg|thumb|juvenile ''A. p. purpurea'', Danube delta, [[Romania]]]]
[[File:Ardea purpurea manilensis.JPG|upright|thumb|''A. p. manilensis'' in [[North Sulawesi]], [[Indonesia]] showing long toes]]
[[File:Ardea purpurea MWNH 0894.JPG|thumb|Egg, Collection [[Museum Wiesbaden]]]]
Flight is slow, with the neck retracted and the legs extending a long way behind the tail. This is characteristic of herons and [[bittern]]s, and distinguishes them from [[stork]]s, [[crane (bird)|crane]]s and [[spoonbill]]s, which extend their necks in flight. It is a secretive bird, spending less time out in the open than the grey heron and tending to skulk in [[reed bed]]s. Its long toes mean it can walk on floating vegetation, and it sometimes walks over bushes in the same way, not making any attempt to grip the branches. It seldom perches in trees, preferring more terrestrial sites to rest.<ref name=Witherby/>

It is most active at dawn and dusk, roosting with other birds in the middle of the day and at night, but increasing its diurnal activity while rearing young. It feeds in shallow water, grabbing its [[Predation|prey]] with its powerful beak. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. The diet consists mainly of [[fish]], small [[mammal]]s and [[amphibian]]s, but nestling [[bird]]s, [[snake]]s, [[lizard]]s, [[crustacean]]s, water [[snail]]s, [[insect]]s and [[spider]]s are also eaten. Terrestrial [[beetle]]s are the commonest insect prey, followed by water beetles and aquatic [[larva]]e, with [[grasshopper]]s, [[Dragonfly|dragonflies]], [[bee]]s and [[Fly|flies]] also being consumed.<ref name=Witherby/>

The purple heron usually breeds in [[Bird colony|colonies]] but sometimes the nests are solitary. It sometimes associates with other species such as the [[goliath heron]] (''Ardea goliath'') or grey heron at multi-species nesting colonies. The site chosen is generally in [[reed bed]]s, [[canebrake]]s or low bushes close to large lakes or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky nest of dead reeds, sticks or whatever is available, carelessly pulling the material together. The eggs are bluish-green, averaging {{convert|56|by|45|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}. The clutch is usually four or five eggs, with occasionally seven or eight eggs being laid, though these large clutches may have resulted from two females laying in the same nest. The eggs are laid at intervals of three days, and [[Egg incubation|incubation]] may begin with the first egg, or start when the clutch is complete. Both parents share the incubation, which lasts between 24 and 28 days, and the care of the young. When an adult brings food, its beak is dragged down by the chicks and it regurgitates food from the crop onto the nest, or the young may take food directly from the beak. The young fledge at about six weeks and become independent at two months. They then [[Biological dispersal|disperse]] widely.<ref name=Witherby/>

==Status==
There are estimated to be a total of between 270,000 and 570,000 purple herons in the world and the population is probably decreasing slowly. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has assessed its conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]" because the rate of decline is insufficient to justify rating it in a more threatened category. The chief threat the bird faces is drainage and disturbance of its wetland habitats, particularly destruction of the reed beds.<ref name=iucn/> The purple heron is one of the species to which the ''Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds'' ([[AEWA]]) applies.<ref name=AEWA>{{cite web |title=AEWA Species |access-date=23 October 2015 |url=http://www.unep-aewa.org/en/species |publisher=Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Ali>{{cite book |last=Ali |first=S. |year=1996 |title=The Book of Indian Birds |publisher=Bombay Natural History Society |location=Bombay |isbn=978-0-19-563731-1}}</ref>

<ref name=arkive>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/purple-heron/ardea-purpurea/#text=Facts |title=Purple heron videos, photos and facts – Ardea purpurea |publisher=ARKive |access-date=18 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016063457/http://www.arkive.org/purple-heron/ardea-purpurea/#text=Facts#text=Facts |archive-date=2011-10-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=CRC>{{cite book |title=CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses |editor-first=John B. |editor-last=Dunning Jr. |publisher=CRC Press |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-8493-4258-5}}</ref>

<ref name=IOC>{{cite journal | url = http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/storks/ |editor-last=Gill |editor-first=F. |editor2-last=Donsker |editor2-first=D. |year=2015 |title=IOC World Bird List (version 5.3) |doi=10.14344/IOC.ML.5.3 |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>

<ref name=ornitaxa>{{cite web |url=http://ornitaxa.com/SM/Split/SplitHerons.htm |title=Cape Verde Purple Heron |author=de By, R.A.|work=Recent proposals for specifically distinct bird species: Herons |publisher=Bird Taxonomy for Birders }}</ref>
}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=Handbook of the Birds of the World |editor-last1=del Hoyo |editor-first1=J. |editor-last2=Elliot |editor-first2=A. |editor-last3=Sargatal |editor-first3=J. |year=1992 |publisher=[[Lynx Edicions]] |location=[[Barcelona]] |isbn=84-87334-10-5 |volume=1 |page=407 |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookofbirdso0001unse/page/407}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ardea purpurea}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160314224528/http://aulaenred.ibercaja.es/wp-content/uploads/44_PurpleHeronApurpurea.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze]
* [http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/065.pdf Purple Heron] – ''[[Southern African Bird Atlas Project|The Atlas of Southern African Birds]]''
* {{BirdLife|22697031|Ardea purpurea}}
* {{Avibase|name=Ardea purpurea}}
* {{InternetBirdCollection|purple-heron-ardea-purpurea}}
* {{VIREO|Purple+heron}}
* {{IUCN_Map|22697031|Ardea purpurea}}
* {{Xeno-canto species|Ardea|purpurea|Purple heron}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q160488}}

[[Category:Ardea (genus)|purple heron]]
[[Category:Herons|purple heron]]
[[Category:Birds of Africa]]
[[Category:Birds of Eurasia]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1766|purple heron]]
[[Category:Birds of Nepal]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]

Purple heron - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article