The image :IMG_4354 of the Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea was captured in the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Brooklyn, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. on 26.01,20 ` The Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea has an yellow iris,bill brown with yellow base, horn below with yellow tip.; legs brown, yellow behind. Non-breeding and younger birds have less bright colouring, being rufous brown; the neck purplish grey although the markings are the same as the adult. Noticeable large feet. Distributed widely over Africa, Malagasy, Southern Europe to Turkestan and Persia , except dry west. Not frequently seen due to shy sulking nature. During the day resorts to large reed beds for camouflage. When alarmed it may stand bolt upright, with bill point upwards or fly up. Normally feed along water`s edge. Feed on fish, frogs insects, lizards, snakes, young birds, chickens, ducklings and rodents. The voice is a hoarse ` kwaak ` Breeds in midst of dense reed beds and not often in communities. September - October in the Cape, May - January in Transvaal. September-February and April in Zimbabwe. Nest large platform of twigs lined with reeds.2-5 greenish blue eggs. Nestling period: 7 weeks maybe double brooded ` Info: Roberts Birds of South Africa by G.R.McLachlan and R.Liversidge

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