Purple Heron

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Reedbeds (rare breeder).
Diet: Fish, amphibians.
Best time to spot: Slim, snake-necked, dark.

When to look

Scarce or local in the UK. Timing varies by region, so check recent sightings before you travel. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Purple Heron sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Great White EgretUncommon · Marshes
• Great Blue HeronLegendary · Coast
• Grey HeronCommon · Lakes
• Savi's WarblerRare · Reedbeds (very rare breeder)
• Montagu's HarrierRare · Cereal fields (very rare breeder)
• American BitternLegendary · Reedbeds (very rare vagrant)

Kit that helps

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