Tall stories about the world’s biggest heron

SOUTHERN Africa is home to the world’s largest heron, the aptly named goliath heron, which stands about 140cm tall.

It is one of 19 species in South Africa and 60 species worldwide that belong to the Ardeidae family, made up of herons, egrets and bitterns.

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Here are some fascinating facts about this majestic, eye-catching bird, an uncommon resident that visitors to our waterways would be lucky to spot:

* The first thing you notice about these striking creatures are their size. The goliath herons tower over their fellow waders along the shorelines of our large, shallow inland waters and estuaries. They have large bills and long, black legs.

* The goliath heron has a striking slate grey and chestnut colour scheme. Its colouration makes it a bit similar to the purple

heron, but it is much bigger than this species and lacks its purple cousin’s black stripes on crown and neck. The purple heron also has lighter legs.

* The goliath heron occurs in Africa, south of the Sahara and Madagascar. It is found mainly in the eastern and northern parts of southern Africa.

* Like other herons it is a raucous bird and has a harsh, deep voice.

* It is a bird that teaches us the virtue of patience. A solitary creature, it stands almost motionless for hours in one spot in shallow water, waiting patiently to catch its fishy meals.

* As well as fish, goliath herons eat frogs, reptiles, crustaceans and even small mammals.

* This bird has a slow, stately flying style, revving up to a mere 98 wing beats per minute.

* The nests are platforms of sticks in trees, on cliffs, islands, rocks and on the ground. The female lays between two and five pale blue or greenish blue eggs, usually between June and January.

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