Ardea goliath is the world's largest heron, with average heights over 4 ft., and a wingspan of at least 7 ft. It has a slow and ponderous look in flight, and the legs are not held horizontally like some other herons.

The Goliath Heron feeds on fish, amphibians and small rodents. It stands in shallow water, watching its feet, waiting for food to appear so it can spear it with open mandibles.