Scientific Name: Ardea purpurea
Malay Name: Pucung Serandau
Chinese Name: 草鹭
Range: Found from Africa, Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, China to Southeast Asia with some northern populations winter south
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: bournei, purpurea, madagascariensis, manilensis.
Local Subspecies: manilensis
Size: 78-90 cm
Identification: Adult has black crown, black nape-plumes, rufous-chestnut neck with bold black lines down head-sides and neck, dark chestnut-maroon belly/flanks/vent/underwing-coverts, greyish upperparts and mostly yellowish-orange bill/legs/feet. Juvenile resembles adult but has brownish-orange overall plumage and lacks the bold black lines down head-sides/neck.
Similar looking species: Grey Heron, Great-billed Heron
Habitat: Well-vegetated freshwater wetlands, marshes, lakes and occasionally coastal wetlands and mangroves.
Behaviour/Ecology: Often stays hidden in reedbeds or dense vegetation for long periods of time.
Local Status: Common resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Location: Sungei Buloh, Kranji Marsh, Bishan Park, Central Catchment Forest, Lorong Halus, Pulau Ubin and any patch of suitable habitat.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Purple Heron)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Ardea purpurea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22697031A154816177.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Purple Heron. Retrieved on June 15, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/purple-heron.