Ardea goliath

(Cretzschmar, 1829)

Vernacular names
English : Goliath heron
French : Héron goliath

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ardeidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Largest heron species reaching a length of 150 cm for a weight of 4.4 kg. Very large bill. Plumage slaty grey with chestnut brown thighs. Neck chestnut brown with black and white longitudinal stripe running from chin to breast. Black legs.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in most of Subsaharan Africa, from Senegal to south Egypt, to South Africa. Scattered populations in Arabian peninsula, Iran and India. Lives in mangroves, lake shores, rivers, estuaries, up to 2100 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is quite common in Africa and has expanded its range in South Africa. Very rare in Arabian peninsula and Asia.
Ex-Situ Programs : ESB in Europe

Observation

 

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