Largest heron

The largest species of heron (family: Ardeidae) is the goliath heron (Ardea goliath), measuring up to 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches) tall and 4.31–4.47 kilograms (9 pounds 8 ounces–9 pounds 12.8 ounces) in weight. It frequents lakes, wetlands, mangroves and estuaries predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, though its range extends to coastal regions of the Middle East and into the Indian subcontinent.

The lifespan of the goliath heron is typically 15 to 20 years.

This waterfowl's wings are large and broad, spanning up to 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) across. Its distinctive loud "kowoork" call can be heard up to 2 km (1.2 mi) away.

The goliath heron most closely resembles the white-bellied heron (A. insignis) and the great-billed heron (A. sumatrana) due to its grey and chestnut colouring.

Goliath herons have the ability to stand still in shallow water for up to an hour while hunting for food, which primarily consists of large fish such as carp, tilapia and bream.

By contrast, the smallest heron is the least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), native to the Americas from southern Canada to northern Argentina, with a maximum height of 36 cm (1 ft 2 in) and an average weight of 80 g (2.8 oz).