<i>Ardea goliath</i><br />
Length: 55"<br />
Wing Span:
<p>
the Goliath Heron is very large, mainly Slate colored and chestnut colored.
The bill is very large, legs tend to sag below horizontal in-flight.
Iris yellow, Bill Black above, horn below.
lores and eyering greenish yellow, legs and feet black
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:Diet:
<p>
eats fish, frogs, small reptiles and mammals.
Will also eat crustaceans and carrion.</p>
:Courtship:
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:Nesting:
<p> 
nest is a platform of sticks in a tree or bush, on rock, ground, island,
Cliff or flattened water plants. Nest is usually solitary, sometimes colonial or in mixed herony.
Usually lays 3 to 4 eggs. The eggs are pale blue or greenish blue. The nestlings are fed by both parents.
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:Habitat and Range:
<p>
found in larger shallow inland waters and estuaries.
Solitary bird, stands in water for long periods waiting for prey.
Flies slowly. Rather shy.</p>
:Vocalization:
<p>deep raucous sounds hippopotamus like, other harsh grunts and organ like notes.
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:Plumage/Molt
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:Migration:
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:Tongue/feet:
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:Bibliography:
b27