This article is part of the Feathered Fridays series, a spotlight on different bird species that maybe be a wildlife hazard at your airports or aerodrome spaces.
Image: Sam Lievense
Risk Level: Mid Risk
Overview
The purple heron is a large heron with rusty-purple coloured streaks down its neck and patterns of dark blue-grey, tan-light brown, and rusty-brown throughout. Like most herons, they can be identified by their S-shaped neck, long legs, and long bills. These bills are used to hunt fish, crabs, frogs, and various crustaceans. The only other species that could be confused for a purple heron is the grey heron; grey herons are less colourful and slightly larger than the purple heron.
Range
A common heron species throughout the eastern hemisphere, purple herons are common throughout their range of sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia. Some of the herons migrate north to parts of Europe and east Asia to breed.
Behaviour
Purple herons are found in densely vegetated wetland areas and can be found hiding behind reeds or grasses. Because their main food source is fish, they are found wherever
fishes are found such as marshes, lakes, ponds, mangroves, and canals. The purple heron is more shy than other heron species like the grey heron and rely on camouflage for hunting and to be less detectable from predators. When in flight, herons tuck their necks back. This flight position can be differentiated from other similar species like cranes and storks that fly with their necks fully extended.
Impact on Airfields
Airports should be mindful of animal habitats and habitat management, especially when it comes to larger birds like the purple heron as it could cause serious problems if struck. Larger birds such as the purple heron, can cause more damage in a bird strike, leading to costly repairs and risks to aircrafts. As Purple herons like marshy wetlands and tall grasses to hide in, many airports can implement grass management programs to prevent attracting them to your airfields. This can be as simple as filling in an area with gravel instead of grass or regularly cutting the grass near a runway. If your airport is in a wet climate, it can be impossible to manage all of the waterways around the airport. To prevent the presence of herons, but not draining out a waterway, canal netting can be implemented.
When an actual heron is spotted on the runway or near the airport, reactionary dispersal methods are commonly used. For heron species, these dispersal methods include long range acoustic devices, stockwhip, pyrotechnics, and lasers. When it comes to stubborn heron species, some airports get extra creative and use dogs to chase them away.
Identifying which species of heron and birds in general can help determine a species management program and to implement relevant actions that can prevent and reduce wildlife strikes in airports.
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