heron

(Lev. 11:19; Deuteronomy 14:18)

This bird was listed among the unclean birds.

The Hebrew name is 'anaphah and indicates that the bird so named is remarkable for its angry disposition.

“The herons are wading-birds, peculiarly irritable, remarkable for their voracity, frequenting marshes and oozy rivers, and spread over the regions of the East.”

The Ardea russeta, or little golden egret, is the most common species in Asia.