Animalia Life
Ardea goliath
SUBFAMILY
Ardeinae
TAXONOMY
Ardea goliath Cretzchmar, 1826, Bahr el Abiad.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Hйron goliath; German: Goliathreiher; Spanish: Garza
Goliat.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The largest modern heron, it is gray with chestnut head, neck,
and belly. Length is 53–55+ in (135–140+ cm).
DISTRIBUTION
Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
HABITAT
Aquatic heron of both coastal and inland habitats, rarely wandering
far from water. Occurs along the shallow water margins
of large lakes, lagoons, and large river systems; also in tidal estuaries,
reefs, and occasionally mangrove creeks and water
holes in woodland savanna.
BEHAVIOR
A solitary hunter that defends large feeding territories. Stands
in or near the water, or walks slowly, waiting for prey to appear.
Moves to new areas by walking quickly or hopping.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Because of its size, this heron can wade well away from shore.
Fish are caught by a lunging bill thrust that captures the fish
deep in the water. It often spears them, running both
mandibles through the prey. The fish is placed on the tops of
floating plants and killed by restabbing, beating, and poking it
with the bill. One-quarter of prey may be lost by escape or
through piracy by other fish predators. Diet consists almost
entirely of fish; they also will eat prawns, frogs, lizards, snakes
and small mammals.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Breeding season coincides with the start of rains. Some populations
breed year-round, and others may not breed every year.
Nesting is solitary, near colonies, and within single-species or
mixed-species colonies. Solitary birds nest on riverbanks,
lakeshores, and small islands. Nest sites include sedge, reeds,
small trees, low bushes, mangroves, and cliffs. On islands, any
tree, shrub, stone, or bare ground available can be used. The
nest is a large platform made of sticks or reed stems at least
3.4–4.9 ft (1–1.5 m) in diameter. Eggs are pale blue, and the
usual clutch is three or four, ranging from two to five. Young
fledge at about five weeks. Older young can trample younger
siblings, leading to brood reduction. Production is one or two
young per successful nest.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. However, the status of this species is currently
unknown in south Iraq/Iran and the Indian subcontinent,
where birds are infrequently reported.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Well known in its range, but little is understood of important
aspects of its biology.
Photo Gallery of - Goliath heron
