Purple Heron செந்நாரை
Purple heron is one of the most confusing heron, and most similar to the grey heron. There are some noticeable differences which helps in the identification. this birds have been observed at Perumbakkam and Medavakkam wetland areas (we have not visited Pallikaranai marshland).
Purple Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland area (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)
It is similar in appearance to the more common grey heron but is slightly smaller, more slender, and has darker plumage. It is also a more evasive bird, favoring densely vegetated habitats near water, particularly reed beds. It hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs, and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush (source ebird).
Purple Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland area with its prey (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)
This is shorter than the crest of the grey heron and does not exceed 140 mm (5.5 in). The sides of the head and the neck are buffish chestnut, with dark streaks and lines down either side of the whole the neck. The mantle is oily brown and the upper scapular feathers are elongated but not the lower ones. The rest of the upper parts and the tail are brownish grey. The front of the neck is paler than the sides and there are some elongated feathers at the base of the neck which are streaked with white, chestnut and black. The breast is chestnut brown, with some blackening at the side, and the belly and under-tail coverts are black. The brownish-yellow beak is long, straight and powerful, and is brighter in colour in breeding adults. The iris is yellow and the legs are brown at the front and yellowish behind (Source: Wikipedia).
Purple Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland area with its prey (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)
இது சாம்பல் நாரையை விடவும் சிறியதாகவும் இலேசாகவும் உள்ளது. இதனை சாம்பல் நாரையிடமிருந்து வேறுபடுத்திக்கட்டுவது யாதெனின் இதன் இள்ஞ்சிவப்பு நிற உடலே. வளர்ந்த பறவைகள் கருத்த பழுப்பு நிறத்தையும் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. இவை குறுகிய வடிவிலான மஞ்சள் அலகினை உடையது. செந்நாரைக்கு உருவத்தில் மிகவும் அருகாமையில் உள்ள நாரை இவற்றை விட உருவில் பெரிய கோலியாத்து நாரை.
