purple heron
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Purple herons (Ardea purpurea) are known to be a secretive and retiring species especially around dense, emerging vegetation that fringe shallow wetlands and mangroves. Roosting is communally in reedbeds and they are seldom away from cover, making observations more difficult.
Distribution Scattered range from the Orange River to central Namibia, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park, Kunene River Mouth, Caprivi, Chobe/Zambezi River, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.
Diet: Hunts in reedbeds and shallow vegetation at dawn and dusk for fish, insects, amphibians, crustaceans, reptiles, insects, birds and small mammals.
Description The purple heron is a large, dark, richly coloured heron with a long, slender neck. It is often confused with the much larger Goliath heron. Purpurea is Latin for 'purple'.
Breeding: A nest consisting of a platform of reeds or dense collection of short-growing stems is the site for females to lay 2 to 5 eggs between September to October, incubated for around 26 days.
Size: 90cm. Weight: Up to 1.2kg.
Bullsport Guest Farm
The settlement of Bullsport is marked on nearly every map, however it consists of little more than the guest farm. Great for hiking.
Tsauchab River Camp
Rustic lodge on the banks of the Tsauchab River - an excellent place for walking and enjoying the surrounding scenery
Zebra River Lodge
Another excellent place for hiking, in the Tsaris Mountains. As there are many lodges located closer to Sossusvlei than Zebra River Lodge it is often overlooked, but if you want a genuinely warm welcome at a special lodge then the problems of location can easily be overlooked.
