GeeseEgyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiaca
- ORDER: Anseriformes
- FAMILY: Anatidae
Basic Description
The Egyptian Goose is an odd waterfowl species, with an unusual color pattern highlighted by a reddish-brown eye mask, dark collar, and irregular breast patch. Despite its name, this bird is more like a large duck than a typical goose. It rests on the ground more than in the water, and it also perches on—and even nests in—trees. A highly adaptable species, Egyptian Goose is very successful in its native Africa, where it sometimes causes damage to crops. Introduced populations have become established in Europe and North America.
More ID InfoOther Names
- Ganso del Nilo (Spanish)
- Ouette d'Égypte (French)
- Cool Facts
- Egyptian Geese will nest just about anywhere. Unusual nesting sites include church steeples, old boathouses, caves, the giant communal nests of Sociable Weavers, and the used burrows of crested porcupines and aardvarks. They also use abandoned nests of birds including raptors, herons and cormorants.
- Egyptian Geese aggressively defend their nests—one even attacked a drone and helicopter that flew too close.
- In their native range, Egyptian Geese occasionally perch on hippopotamuses to feed on plant and animal matter the enormous mammals stir up.
- Egyptian Geese in South Africa feed mainly on corn, but switch up their diet when they are molting to add in algae, pondweed, and Bermuda grass.