Egyptian Goose
The Egyptian Goose is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley. It was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians and appeared in much of their artwork. It has been raised for food and extensively bred in parts of Africa since it was domesticated by the ancient Egyptians.
The Egyptian Goose is believed to be most closely related to the shelducks and their relatives. However, in flight it looks heavy and more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name.
The sexes of the Egyptian Goose are identical in plumage but the males average slightly larger. There is a fair amount of variation in plumage with some birds greyer and others browner. It has distinctive dark brown eye patches and contrasting white wing patches in flight.
The Egyptian Goose breeds widely in Africa except in deserts and dense forests and it is locally abundant. It is found mostly in the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara. While not breeding, it sometimes makes longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of the Sahel.
The Egyptian Goose has also been introduced elsewhere: the UK, the Netherlands, France and Germany have self-sustaining populations which are mostly derived from escaped ornamental birds. The UK population dates back to the 18th century although it was only formally added to the British list in 1971. In the UK it can be seen on ornamental ponds as well as on gravel pits and lowland lakes and wetlands. The north Norfolk coast and Norfolk Broads hold the highest numbers.
The Egyptian Goose will nest in a large variety of situations, especially in holes in mature trees in parkland. The female builds the nest from reeds, leaves and grass, and both parents take turns incubating eggs. Egyptian Geese usually pair for life and both the male and female care for the offspring until they are old enough to care for themselves.
Date: 21st January 2022
Location: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, Greater London
The Egyptian Goose is believed to be most closely related to the shelducks and their relatives. However, in flight it looks heavy and more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name.
The sexes of the Egyptian Goose are identical in plumage but the males average slightly larger. There is a fair amount of variation in plumage with some birds greyer and others browner. It has distinctive dark brown eye patches and contrasting white wing patches in flight.
The Egyptian Goose breeds widely in Africa except in deserts and dense forests and it is locally abundant. It is found mostly in the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara. While not breeding, it sometimes makes longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of the Sahel.
The Egyptian Goose has also been introduced elsewhere: the UK, the Netherlands, France and Germany have self-sustaining populations which are mostly derived from escaped ornamental birds. The UK population dates back to the 18th century although it was only formally added to the British list in 1971. In the UK it can be seen on ornamental ponds as well as on gravel pits and lowland lakes and wetlands. The north Norfolk coast and Norfolk Broads hold the highest numbers.
The Egyptian Goose will nest in a large variety of situations, especially in holes in mature trees in parkland. The female builds the nest from reeds, leaves and grass, and both parents take turns incubating eggs. Egyptian Geese usually pair for life and both the male and female care for the offspring until they are old enough to care for themselves.
Date: 21st January 2022
Location: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, Greater London
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Also in: Grey geese
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