Goliath heron (Ardea goliath). The goliath heron is the largest and tallest heron in the world. Its long legs allow it to wade deep into lakes, swamps and rivers, where it catches fish, frogs, small mammals, reptiles and invertebrates with a darting strike of its head. It is found in parts of Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Photographed in Zimanga Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.