Goliath heron

Introduction: The Goliath heron (Ardea goliath) holds the enviable mantle of being the worldsds largest heron. They inhabit rivers, estuaries, lakes, reefs and marshes, foraging in shallow waters of these water bodies. Like black-headed herons they are usually observed singly.

Distribution: Kunene River Mouth, Epupa Falls, Caprivi, Chobe/ Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Hardap Dam, Orange River and Etosha National Park.

Diet: Eats and swallows fish, eels, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and on occasions bird. Around 25% of all fish captured are lost before being swallowed.

Description: Rich chestnut-orange head and neck, bushy crest and crown. Upper parts and wings uniform slate grey.

Breeding: Females lay 2 to 5 eggs in a stick and reed nest in a tree or in the ground, between August and September and incubated for up to 30 days.

Size: 150cm.

Weight: 4.4kg.