Airone rosso in volo nel cielo di Bozzano ( LU ). Purple heron flying in the sky Bozzano (LU). Genus Ardea Species purpurea Classification Linnaeus, 1766 Common Name purple heron Size 78 to 90 centimetri Wingspan 120 to 150 centimeters Male weight from 600 to 1400 grams Female weight from 600 to 1400 grams Distribution affects the distribution Palearctic regions, limited to southern regions, Afrotropical (Africa south of Sahara), Eastern (Asia to the south of the Himalayas). Description The body is dark and long. The head and neck are narrow and elongated. Beak works like harpoon to catch prey. The long legs allow him to go into deeper waters. The fingers long and spaced far apart to allow you to walk easily on wetlands and aquatic vegetation. Its typical neck, which he stretches, serves as an ideal complement of the bill, while increasing efficiency and speed of his attack on the prey. Can live 23 years. Habits are bred in small colonies. Catch prey in shallow water shooting in the neck forward and strike. Habitats in Europe prefer the temperate zones and is found in freshwater marshes with dense vegetation along the canals, reed. Flight wings beat slowly, her head bent back and legs outstretched. Has a powerful and smooth flight. Power feeds on fish, amphibians, insects (larvae and adults), especially at dusk and dawn. Cammima very close to the water with its beak and swallows it with a quick motion of the neck and head fish on the side of the head to prevent the size make it difficult to pass through the esophagus. You can also feed on amphibians, beetles, crustaceans and molluscs; occasionally eat small mammals, snakes and lizards. Migration spends the winter in southern Europe and in Africa, south of the Sahara, although some may remain in the Nile Valley and Delta, from early September until April. Nesting nests are usually built in the reeds or among other plants typical of wetlands, usually 0.5 - 1 m from the water, but may also be in the trees to 25 m. ground. They are constructed of reeds or twigs of trees. The eggs are blue - green with white spots. They are usually lay 4 to 5 eggs, which takes 25 - 30 days to hatch. Later the children and takes about 45 - 50 days before starting to fly. During the period of courtship plumage acquires a much more attractive, especially on the neck. Couples last at least a season. Both parents care for children at least until they learned to fly. It breeds in small colonies, usually composed of two or three pairs, or alone. In central Europe, the eggs are laid in late April - early May, while in southern Europe, the spawning can be delayed for 3 weeks. Situation in the lagoon in the lagoon nests in marshes in the valleys Fish (Dogà, Dragojesolo, Horn Alto, Figheri ) Good day and good week new Thanksfor the comments and the favourites of previous image!