The Purple Heron is a shy but common resident waterbird of West Malaysia found mainly freshwater wetlands, known for its striking colors (purplish-grey, chestnut belly, black cap, white chin ) and long neck/legs, often seen hunting fish and frogs stealthily. It is identifiable by its elegant, slow hunting style and distinct head markings although it can be well camofalgued in habitat and its associated vegetation, likes reeds, paddy stalks and other water plant.

It can be very secretive and hunts by standing motionless in shallow water to spear prey, with the usual fish, reptiles, snakes and amphibians, and even other smaller waterbirds and rodents. Not so common at coastal mudflats.

In Seberang Perai, it is very common throughout, with its population exploding within the last 20 years, with nesting records throughout the three districts, with about five hundred nests at the heronry at the Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda IBA.

https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/purple-swamphen-porphyrio-porphyrio