International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 15 1 2026 02 10 Seasonal Variation and Spatial Distribution of Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) in Urban Wetlands of Kota, Rajasthan, India 17 20 EN Soumaya Boudjemaa 1 University Hospital Centre, Batna, Algeria and Medical faculty, University of Batna, Algeria Said Nadji 2 University Hospital Centre, Constantine, Algeria Chahrazed Rajai 3 University Hospital Centre, Batna, Algeria Hannen Benaldjia 4 University Hospital Centre, Batna, Algeria and Medical faculty, University of Batna, Algeria Berkahoum Alamir 5 National Toxicology Centre, Algeirs, Algeria . Bharati 1 Research Scholar, SSJDWSSS GPGC, Ranikhet, Almora, India Singh Rajkumar 2 Professor, Lal Bhadur Shastri GPGC, Halduchaur, Nainital, India Kumar Shankar 3 Research Scholar, SSJDWSSS GPGC, Ranikhet, Almora, India Goswami Pooja 1 Department of Zoology, Government College Kota, Kota, Rajasthan, India Mayangar Meenakshi 2 Department of Zoology, Government College Kota, Kota, Rajasthan, India > Research Paper 2025 12 9 2026 02 10 The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a wetland-dependent species and an important indicator of ecosystem health in aquatic ecosystems. This study examines its spatial distribution and seasonal fluctuations across three urban wetlands in Kota, Rajasthan —Abheda Pond, Ummedganj Pakshi Vihar Conservation Reserve (UPVCR), and Right Main Canal—from November 2024 to November 2025. Abundance patterns showed a marked seasonal rhythm, with highest numbers recorded during the pre-monsoon period (April–June) and the lowest during winter. Non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, and Spearman‘s correlation) revealed significant temporal and spatial differences in abundance (p < 0.05). The pronounced increase in pre-monsoon aligns with the species' nesting activity and the availability of shallow foraging habitats. Overall, the study emphasizes the ecological importance of urban wetlands and canals in sustaining heron populations when hydrological stability and minimal disturbance are maintained. Copyright@ International Science Community Association