Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea 78-90cm

Senneela Kokku in Tamil (செந்நீல கொக்கு)

Resident and winter visitor? Widespread. Rakish with long thin neck. In flight, compared to grey, bulge of recoiled neck is very pronounced, protruding feet large, underwing coverts purplish(adult) or buff(juvenile) and lacks white leading edge to wing. Adult has chestnut head and neck with black stripes, grey mantle and upperwing coverts, and dark chestnut belly and underwing coverts. Juvenile has black crown, buffish neck, and brownish mantle and upperwing coverts with rufous buff fringes. Mainly inland waters with tall cover.