purple heron

noun

1. an Old World heron, Ardea purpurea, having maroon, buff, and black plumage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of purple heron¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Starting at La Rocina Visitor Center, we ambled along the two-mile boardwalk over the Charco de la Boca marsh, stopping in one bird blind, a camouflaged shelter from which we spotted a rare purple heron just a few feet away.

From New York Times

Reed Bunting, Sandwich Terns, Shovelers, Bewick's swans, Bitterns, Grebes and even Purple Heron - all are among those seen in the RSPB's Dungeness reserve, one of its most treasured.

From BBC

The purple heron, A. purpurea, as a well-known European species having a great range over the Old World, also deserves mention here.

From Project Gutenberg

The Coots and Mallards have eggs in March, the Purple Heron early in April: on the 9th we found the first nest, merely an armful of the long green reeds bent down, and containing one blue egg.

From Project Gutenberg

Rather farther away waded half a dozen spoonbills, revolving on their axis at each forward step in their peculiar fashion; a purple heron or two, and sedate storks seeking a feast of frogs.

From Project Gutenberg