long straight bill; dark blue-grey plumage; striped neck (Spain; 2006-06-10)


Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea

Native Range: Eurasia, Oriental Region, and Africa

Notes: somewhat smaller and much darker than Grey Heron but otherwise similar in behavior and lifestyle; has a call that has been likened to the baying of a hound dog; no sexual dimorphism.

folds head back on shoulders in flight (Spain; 2006-06-10)
tall and spindly-looking when wading for fish (Spain; 2006-06-10)