TAB IN ENGLISH
Translated
by FELIPE BENAVIDES
Order:
Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Ardea purpurea
Purple Heron
Maximum size: 90 cm - 1.5 m wingspan
Habitat
They live in wetlands with marsh vegetation such as reeds,
bulrush, crumps, blackberry bushes, cistus or rockroses, and
aromatic species such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, etc.,
where they remain semi-concealed. They also live in marshes,
dams and rivers, both in salty or fresh waters.
They flock in large colonies in summer. They feed basically
on fish and frogs. They are included in the Red List
of the Vertebrates of Andalusia, and their conservation
status is ‘Vulnerable of Extinction’, as well as in the rest
of Spain. The main threats are the loss of habitat,
pesticides and the cutting of vegetation.