Goliath Heron Facts for Kids

The Goliath Heron is the world's largest heron.

A Goliath Heron, Ardea goliath.

The Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath) is a very large wading bird. It belongs to the heron family, called Ardeidae. You can find this amazing bird mostly in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. A few can also be seen in parts of Southwest and South Asia.

This heron is truly huge! It's the biggest heron in the world. An adult Goliath Heron stands over 1.4 meters (about 4.5 feet) tall. Its wings can spread out to at least 2 meters (7 feet) wide. It weighs around 4 kilograms (9 pounds). When it flies, it looks slow and powerful. Unlike some other herons, its legs don't stick out straight behind it.

What the Goliath Heron Looks Like
Where the Goliath Heron Lives
What the Goliath Heron Eats and How It Hunts
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Images for kids
See also

What the Goliath Heron Looks Like

Male and female Goliath Herons look quite similar. They are mostly covered in slate gray and chestnut-colored feathers. Their head, bushy crest, face, and the sides of their neck are chestnut. The chin, throat, and upper chest are white. They have black stripes across their foreneck and upper chest. The lower chest and belly are a light brown color with black stripes.

The top part of their beak is black. The skin around their eyes and beak is yellow with a hint of green. Their eyes are yellow, and their legs and feet are black. Young Goliath Herons look a lot like the adults, but their colors are a bit lighter.

Where the Goliath Heron Lives

Goliath Herons like to live in places with water. Important homes for them include large lakes, wet swamps, and mangrove wetlands. They sometimes live in places where rivers meet the sea, called river deltas. They prefer areas with calm, cool water.

What the Goliath Heron Eats and How It Hunts

Goliath Herons mainly eat fish. They also eat amphibians, like frogs, and small rodents. This heron usually hunts during the day. It often stands very still in shallow water. Sometimes, it stands on plants that float on the water. It watches the water carefully for its prey. When a fish or other animal appears, the heron quickly spears it with its open beak.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The breeding season for Goliath Herons is from November to March. These birds build a large nest made of sticks. They often build their nests in trees that hang over water. Sometimes, they build nests on the ground or in low bushes.