The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. The European populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa; the more northerly Asian populations also migrate further south within Asia. It is a large bird, 80-90 cm tall, with a 120-150 cm wingspan Photographed by Sumit K Sen. Check out more of his photos at kolkatabirds