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Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiaca

Identify the Egyptian Goose by sound or photo and log your sightings with Birdpass.

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The Egyptian Goose is an African sheldgoose native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley. Popular as an ornamental bird, it now has self-sustaining feral populations in parts of western Europe, the Middle East and the United States. It swims strongly and flies with heavy, goose-like wingbeats, flashing bold white wing patches. Males and females look alike, though males are a little larger.

Did you know?

  • Egyptian Geese were regularly depicted in ancient Egyptian art.
  • The genus name Alopochen means “fox-goose”, referring to its ruddy back.

Voice

Flight call

About the species

Identification

A large, long-legged, goose-like duck with pale grey-brown body, a dark brown patch around the eye and another in the centre of the breast, pink legs and bill. In flight it shows large white wing patches and a green speculum. Unlike any native waterfowl in northern Europe.

Family

Anatidae

Size

Very large (swan)

Colours

brown, grey, white, orange

About the habitat

Open or semi-open country near fresh water – rivers, lakes and wetlands – and, in introduced ranges, parks and farmland.

Diet

Mainly plant material – grasses, leaves, seeds and shoots – often grazing on lawns and fields; young birds also take small invertebrates.

Behaviour

Usually seen in pairs or family groups; strongly territorial and often aggressive towards other birds. Males give hoarse, breathy calls while females have a loud, raucous quack. Courtship includes honking, neck-stretching and wing displays. It nests in a variety of sites, from the ground to tree holes and old nests of other birds.

Sources

Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) London.jpg

Sound: Sonothèque ADVL, XC918822, CC0 1.0 https://xeno-canto.org/918822

Text: Wikipedia (English), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_goose

See also