purple heron


noun
  1. an Old World heron, Ardea purpurea, having maroon, buff, and black plumage.

Origin of purple heron

1
First recorded in 1830–40

Words Nearby purple heron

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use purple heron in a sentence

  • The purple heron (Ardea purpurea) has the same habits as the one just spoken of, but it is a little smaller.

    Reptiles and Birds | Louis Figuier