North Rhine-Westphalia: Zoo Dortmund: Largest herons in the world have offspring

Dortmund (dpa / lnw) - For the first time, a goliath heron hatched in Dortmund Zoo.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Zoo Dortmund: Largest herons in the world have offspring

Dortmund (dpa / lnw) - For the first time, a goliath heron hatched in Dortmund Zoo. The offspring was born at the end of June, as a zoo spokeswoman announced on Friday. Goliath herons are considered the largest herons in the world. However, the birdie is still small and featherless. With its firm beak and yellow eyes, it already resembles its parents.

In the coming weeks the chick will stay on the ground in the nest. There, his parents feed him mashed food from beak to beak. "The young goliath heron is already quite strong and has a healthy appetite," said the spokeswoman. Visitors to the zoo could already observe the bird family in their nest.

According to the Dortmund Zoo, goliath herons can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and have a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters. They live near bodies of water and go into shallow water at night to forage. They can capture fish weighing up to three kilograms. The herons are native to southern and eastern Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula to Iran. Small populations also exist in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.