Ardea purpurea
Size: 78-90cm
Weight: 0.5-1.3kg
Found: The Purple Heron has a wide range, and can be found across much of Africa, Europe, and SouthEast Asia.
Description: The Purple Heron has a long orange toned beak, with a black steak on the top, as well as a long chestnut coloured neck with thick black streaks running down either side. The rest of the body is a greyish brown colour, along the body, wings and tail. This bird has a yellow iris, and long brown legs which are also a yellow tone at the back.
Diet: This birds feed mainly on fish, small mammals and amphibians. However, nestling birds, snakes, lizards, insects and spiders are also sometimes eaten by the Purple Heron.
Comments: When feeding, these birds will search around shallow waters, grabbing passing prey with their powerful beaks. Often, they will stand motionless and slowly stalk their prey with stealth and precision.
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