Purple Heron
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Ardea purpurea
Rare & annual Summer migrant from Southern & Western Europe with 25-30 per year in Spring/Summer around Britain.
Has bred.
Breeds in France, Cyprus, Spain, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands & Africa. Winters in Central & Eastern Africa & Madagascar.
Adults have a darker reddish-brown plumage have the forehead and the crown of the head black, with a dark stripe down the back of the neck that terminates in a slender, dangling crest.
They have a purplish shoulder patch.
Juveniles are duller than Adults & they look a bit like a Bittern.
Their flight appearnce is smaller than a Grey Heron.
The call is a harsh "frarnk", but is quieter and more high-pitched.