Illustration of a purple heron (Ardea purpurea). This species of heron breeds in Africa, central and southern Europe and southern and eastern Asia. The European population migrates to tropical Africa during the winter months. It stands between 80-90 centimetres in height and has a wingspan of around 120-150 centimetres. 18th century watercolor painting by Lady Elizabeth Symonds Gwillim (1763-1807). Lady Gwillim painted a series of about 200 watercolours of Indian birds. Produced about 20 years before John James Audubon, her work has been acclaimed for its accuracy and natural postures as they were drawn from observations of the birds in life.