Rand Aid residents welcome Goliath heron
MODDERFONTEIN – The residents of Inyoni Creek and Tarentaal retirement villages were excited to spot a Goliath heron at their dam.
The residents of Inyoni Creek and Tarentaal retirement villages were elated with the arrival of an uncommon bird species of South Africa, a Goliath heron.
Spokesperson for Rand Aid, Cathy Grosvenor said, “The sight of the huge Goliath heron, which is 140cm tall, sparked great excitement among residents of the Rand Aid retirement villages.”
Environmentalist and Inyoni Creek resident Ria Milburn said the Goliath heron was the largest of all Southern African herons and was a water-associated bird that dwells singly or in pairs alongside large bodies of water.
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She added that the identifying features of the bird were the large grey bill, long grey legs, grey upperparts and chestnut underparts. In flight, the slow wing beats with the down-curved wings and dangling legs are also typical identifying features of this majestic bird.
“In South Africa, the Goliath heron breeds from June to January. The nest is a large platform of sticks built on the ground, on rocks, or in trees and shrubs. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the nestlings,” said Milburn.
Grosvenor added, “With Inyoni Creek taking its name from the Zulu word for ‘bird’, the sighting of the majestic heron was fitting indeed.”
Details: www.randaid.co.za
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