Egyptian Goose

The Egyptian goose - also known as the Nil goose - is named for its place of origin (being the Nile Valley in Africa) and is a large, very distinctive waterbird with conspicuous eye patches of dark chocolate-brown. The female resembles the male, though is smaller, often with darker markings on her beak. The genders can also be told apart by their calls, as the male makes a strong, hoarse hissing noise, while the female produces a harsh, trumpeting quack. Young Egyptian geese have a duller color and have a gray tinge on their forewings, and their crown and neck are darker, with yellowish legs and beak.

General Information:

Common Name:Egyptian Goose
Scientific Name:Alopochen aegyptiaca
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae

Description

Distribution

Egyptian geese are widespread throughout Africa except in deserts and dense forests. In addition, there are numerous introduced populations derived from escaped ornamental birds in Western Europe, Florida, and New Zealand.

Habitat

They inhabit a range of open country wetland habitats, including rivers, dams, marshes, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, offshore islands, and sewage works. They prefer bodies of water with open shorelines which are close to agricultural land or grasslands where they can graze.

Mating Habits

Egyptian geese are monogamous, and a pair stays together for their whole life. Males are quite aggressive during mating. Females lay 5 to 11 creamy white eggs. Incubation is by the female only and lasts for around 28 to 30 days. Births are synchronized. Both the male and the female feed and care for the chicks. The young fledge at about 60 to 75 days, remaining under the care of their parents for almost 4 months. The chicks reach maturity when they are 2 years old.

Diet

Egyptian goose are primarily herbivores, feeding on grass, seeds, stems, and leaves from various plants, as well as grains, potatoes and other types of vegetables. They also eat worms and locusts.

Threats

The Egyptian goose is a relatively common and widespread species, and currently is not considered to be under threat of extinction. However, in parts of its range, being regarded as agricultural pests, they are shot or poisoned, and sometimes they are hunted for sport.

IUCN Status

Least Concern