Ardea purpurea, Purple Heron. It breeds in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. Found in densely vegetated habitats near water, particularly reed beds. It is most active at dawn and dusk, roosting with other birds in the middle of the day and at night. It will often stalk or wait motionless for prey. It hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush, grabbing its prey with its powerful…
