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[[Image:PURPLEHERON.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|I4ani|I4ani}}]] | [[Image:PURPLEHERON.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|I4ani|I4ani}}]] | ||
There are three or four subspecies: | There are three or four subspecies: | ||
| − | *''A. p. purpurea'' Linnaeus, 1766. Africa, [[Europe]] north to the [[Netherlands]], and southwestern [[Asia]] east to Kazakhstan. | + | *''A. p. purpurea'' Linnaeus, 1766. [[Africa]], [[Europe]] north to the [[Netherlands]], and southwestern [[Asia]] east to Kazakhstan. |
*''A. p. bournei'' (de Naurois, 1966). [[Cape Verde Islands]] (included in ''purpurea'' by some authors, but treated as a distinct species ''Ardea bournei'' by some others). Paler than nominate. Extremely rare with only nine nests found in 2002. | *''A. p. bournei'' (de Naurois, 1966). [[Cape Verde Islands]] (included in ''purpurea'' by some authors, but treated as a distinct species ''Ardea bournei'' by some others). Paler than nominate. Extremely rare with only nine nests found in 2002. | ||
*''A. p. madagascariensis'' Oort, 1910. [[Madagascar]]. Darker than nominate. | *''A. p. madagascariensis'' Oort, 1910. [[Madagascar]]. Darker than nominate. | ||
*''A. p. manilensis'' Meyen, 1834. [[Asia]] from [[Pakistan]] east to the [[Philippines]] and north to Primorsky Krai, [[Russia]]. Paler than the nominate race, with reduced neck stripes. | *''A. p. manilensis'' Meyen, 1834. [[Asia]] from [[Pakistan]] east to the [[Philippines]] and north to Primorsky Krai, [[Russia]]. Paler than the nominate race, with reduced neck stripes. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Reed beds or trees close to large lakes or other extensive wetlands. Shallow freshwaters with abundant vegetation, especially reedbeds, where usually breeds, also in mangroves in some areas. | Reed beds or trees close to large lakes or other extensive wetlands. Shallow freshwaters with abundant vegetation, especially reedbeds, where usually breeds, also in mangroves in some areas. | ||
Revision as of 17:21, 3 December 2011
- Ardea purpurea
Inlcudes: Cape Verde Purple Heron
Identification
80-90 cm tall, with a 120-150 cm wingspan, weighing 0.5-1.3 kg. It is similar to the Grey Heron, but its plumage is a darker reddish-brown and the adults have a darker grey back. It has a narrower yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults.
Distribution
It breeds in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. The European populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa; the more northerly Asian populations also migrate further south within Asia. Vagrant to Barbados in the Caribbean[2].
Taxonomy
There are three or four subspecies:
- A. p. purpurea Linnaeus, 1766. Africa, Europe north to the Netherlands, and southwestern Asia east to Kazakhstan.
- A. p. bournei (de Naurois, 1966). Cape Verde Islands (included in purpurea by some authors, but treated as a distinct species Ardea bournei by some others). Paler than nominate. Extremely rare with only nine nests found in 2002.
- A. p. madagascariensis Oort, 1910. Madagascar. Darker than nominate.
- A. p. manilensis Meyen, 1834. Asia from Pakistan east to the Philippines and north to Primorsky Krai, Russia. Paler than the nominate race, with reduced neck stripes.
Habitat
Reed beds or trees close to large lakes or other extensive wetlands. Shallow freshwaters with abundant vegetation, especially reedbeds, where usually breeds, also in mangroves in some areas.
Behaviour
Breeding
It builds a nest made of sticks.
Diet
It feeds in shallow water, catching fish, frogs or insects on its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
Flight
Its flight is slow and in flight it retracts its neck. This is a characteristic of herons and bitterns; it differentiates them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.
Vocalisation
The call is a loud croaking krek.
<flashmp3>Ardea purpurea (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
External Links
