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Egyptian Goose Alopochen Aegyptiacus

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Egyptian Goose

Appearance: - There is a lot of colour variation between individual Egyptian Geese. The head and neck is pale grey with sides and crown being mottled brown, a reddish-brown ring around the lower neck, and large dark eye patch, pink beak, upperparts are reddish-brown with fine black vermiculations, scapulars are dusty brown, rump and tail are black, undertail is cinnamon coloured, wing coverts are white with a black line, primary wing feathers are black, the secondaries are metallic green, and legs and feet are pink. Both sexes are alike but the male is usually larger.

Size: - Typical Adult is 63-73cm (25-29in).

Food: - Vegetable matter, leaves, seeds, plant stems, grasses, crops such as wheat. Occasionally will eat insects, worms, and small animals.

Habitat/Range: - Wetlands, lakes , marshes, and rivers in Africa, south of the Sahara, and in the Nile Valley. Also introduced into East Anglia in the UK and the Netherlands.

Egyptian Goose Map
Breeding Habitat/Resident,    Migration or Winter Area.



Breeding Season: - July to March, or September to October further south.

Eggs: - 3 to 5 (creamy-white colour).

Notes: - The Egyptian Goose is actually a member of the Shelduck subfamily (Tadorninae). This goose was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians and featured in much of their artwork.

Conservation status (IUCN 3.1):
  Least Concern.  

Classification: - Family: Anatidae,
Subfamily: Tadorninae, Genus: Alopochen.


Wildfowl (Alphabetical order):
A-B    C-F    G-L    M-R    S-Z   








Photographs

Egyptian Goose
Egyptian Goose (Alopochen Aegyptiacus) -





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