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Purple Heron – Comfort Behaviour

on 24th December 2012

“The migratory winter visitors are back in Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park. The Little Egret, in white, is the most easily spotted among the visitors. I was looking at one in the distant through my camera viewfinder, when a Purple Heron was seen moving across the bank to higher ground in its slow and deliberate steps.

“Having spotted the heron, I moved closer to have a better view. It is the nature of herons to remain in frozen posture for long periods. However, if you have the patience to watch, you may be richly rewarded, as I have found.

“It stirred from its slumber, changed its position then stooped down to do the usual thing. It then raised the feathers as if airing the body. After a few seconds, it shook the body violently as if it was trying to toss out all the parasites. It then moved off quickly to the water edge for a few sips of water (not shown).

“Above is the video, edited from a clip recorded on 30th October 2012 at about 8.30 am.”

Sun Chong Hong
Singapore
3rd December 2012

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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