Heron

The heron is listed among the unclean birds in the Mosaic dietary law (Lev. 11:19; Deut. 14:18). The Hebrew name 'anāphāh appears to indicate an irritable or angry bird — possibly connected to a root meaning "to snort" or "be angry." The identification with the heron (Ardea cinerea) is traditional and plausible given the bird's prominence in the wetlands of Palestine. Several species of heron, stork, and egret are native to the Jordan Valley and the coastal marshes. All such large wading birds that feed on fish and frogs were classed as unclean.