PURPLE HERON
The purple heron is a big bird but slightly smaller than the grey heron. They can reach up to 900mm with neck extended and have a wingspan of up to 1400mm. The plumage is a dark reddish brown with a dark grey back. The forehead and crown are black, and they have a dark stripe down the back of the neck which turns into a slender dangling crest. The sides of the head are a buffish chestnut colour with dark streaks down either side of the neck. The breast is chestnut brown and the belly is black. The bill is long and more slender than the grey heron.
The purple heron is a more nervous bird than the green heron and likes to hide in densely vegetated habitats near water. I have only seen this bird at Livadi marsh, but they can be spotted in lagoons, mudflats and riverbanks. They are most active at dawn and dusk feeding in shallow water. They either wait motionless for their prey before striking, or they will slowly stalk their victims. The diet mainly consists of fish, mammals, and amphibians, but nesting birds, snakes, lizards, and crustaceans can also be taken.
