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This shy Heron only really comes out in the open early morning and late afternoon and are fairly common on the South Cape Coast in the estuaries of Sedgefield and Wilderness

Also seen at Paarl, and I have seen them at Silolweni dam

Ja BB that Paarl site looks like it really cooks for waterbirds. The only place I've seen the Purple Heron in Kruger is crossing the Bridge into Kruger at Croc Bridge. There are a couple around here in PE as well and we met someone who says they saw one at Addo but I cant imagine where as it is very habitat specific (reeds etc)

Also on top of the Waterberg escarp near Mookgopong (Naboomspruit)

Afrikaans: Rooireier
Scientific: Ardea purpurea

Food: Mostly fish, frogs, small reptiles, birds and small mammals
Habitat: Inland and estuarine waters with dense reedbeds and other aquatic vegetation.
Habits: Solitary feeder, wading or standing in marshy places, often with bill and neck held horizontally. Shy and seldom seen until it takes off, usually with squawk. In flight legs look very long. Feeds by day or night and roosts communally in reedbeds.

Saw Purple Heron on an evening drive outside Mopani on 30 March 08

The following bird was sighted in May at the bridge at Crocodile Bridge. it was late afternoon and close to the reeds
What is it
Thanks

That's a young Purple heron. A bit difficult to tell it apart from the Goliath heron in a photo, but in real life the Goliath is much bigger. Purple Herons also have a dark crown and adults have a black stripe on their faces.
Nice pic

Hi all

Saw this Purple Heron near Pretoriuskop in Kruger. (On the Fayi loop)
Got to spend about half an hour watching him fish.

Grats, super find

Have only seen 1 in Kruger over the years.

Large view

This Purple Heron and Juv seen at Ratelpan Hide in Kruger in March this year.

Large

On campus in the middle of Bellville there is a small pond and have found Purple Heron in it several times in the last few months