Goliath Heron

Ardea goliath

Inland waters. Upperwings, back, tail, lower neck and bill grey; rest rufous.

Bitterns, Egrets, Herons

Not Endemic

Description

Uncommon resident. Larger than all other herons and more robustly proportioned, with slate-grey upper parts and rich rufous underparts. The heavy bill and long legs are slate-grey. Immaturesimilar to adult, but rufous areas are paler. Occurs singly or in pairs on rivers, lakes, pans and estuaries. Hunts in deeper water than most other herons, standing motionless for long periods or walking slowly. Flies with very slow wing beats.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Water-associated birds with long bills and necks and long legs. When breeding, many species have long, filamentous plumes on their back or lower breast (or both), while others have more or less permanent long plumes on their napes. In flight, they tuck their heads into their shoulders, thus differing from storks, ibises and cranes. They seldom soar. Many herons are solitary in habit and secretive; others are gregarious and seen more frequently. Most perch in trees and nest in trees or reeds, or even on the ground. All have harsh, squawking voices heard mostly when flushed. Four comparative silhouettes represent (a): Dwarf Bittern; (b): Squacco Heron; (c): Little Egret; and (d): Grey Heron.