ALOPOCHEN AEGYPTIACUS - THE EGYPTIAN
GOOSE
The beauty of the Egyptian goose is sometimes taken for granted, thanks to its
proliferation all over South Africa, and stretching right up to the north of the African
continent. It is endemic to the Nile Valley and the entire area south of the Sahara
Desert.
Did you know?Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the Ancient
Egyptians and appear in much of their artwork.
The Egyptian Goose is related to the shelduck, and is a cross between a duck and a
goose. A shelduck is defined as being semi-terrestrial, and they are found in areas that
have an abundant water supply as well as dry, safe places in which to feed, breed and
nest. The Egyptian goose has vivid markings that are striking and impressive. In fact,
they were considered to be holy by the Egyptians, who often included them in works of
art due to their undeniable beauty.
This bird is pale brown and grey, with rich brown or chestnut markings around the eyes,
around the neck (resembling a collar), on a portion of the wings, and under the
otherwise black tail. In stark contrast, there are crisp white markings on the wings,
complemented by an intense emerald on the secondary feathers of the males. There is
also a well-defined brown patch right in the centre of the chest.
The female of the species is slightly smaller than her male counterparts. Apart from this,
there are few to no clear differences between the sexes.
SIZE
Range mass: 1.1 – 3.5kg
Range length: 63cm – 73cm
Range wing span: 134cm – 154cm.
HABITAT
The Egyptian goose favours a habitat that offers plenty of water, as well as some dry
spots. So, they can usually be found in inland regions (even open plains) that have
wetlands, lagoons or lakes nearby. They are also partial to ornamental water features
(like ponds). They enjoy perching in trees and exploring long grasses for food.
DISTRIBUTION
These birds are endemic to Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. In South Africa, they can
be found almost everywhere, with the exception of desert or arid places. It can also be
found in the southern part of Israel and in limited areas through the United States of
America.
DIET
As they walk, the Egyptian geese pick up and eat a range of seeds and grasses. They
are also known to eat the grain that has spilled from crops (such as wheat, maize and
barley). Since they favour wet conditions, a fair portion of their diet comprises aquatic
plants and the grasses that can be found on the banks of a dam or river. But, their diet
is not limited to vegetation. They will eat earthworms, moths, termites, ants, and
beetles; if they happen to come across these. This is especially the case with the
juvenile geese.
SOCIALISATION
This bird is known for its loud, honking call, which it uses to attract its mate. They feed
both day and night, sticking to a small flock (also known as a family group) for most of
the year. However, during breeding season, both males and females become
particularly aggressive; both with members of their own species and with other types of
birds. They have even been known to kill the chicks of fellow Egyptian geese to ensure
that their own chicks have the best living conditions possible. Because of the noisy
nature of their aggression, these birds are often unpopular amongst their human
neighbours.
COMMUNICATION
The voice of the Egyptian goose is recognised as being loud and course to those who
share their habitat. The male tends to be quieter and hoarser, sounding more like a
quack. The female, on the other hand, emits a loud squawk that can continue
incessantly, particularly when caring for her young. When trying to attract his mate, the
male will use honking, together with a feather display to impress the female.
REPRODUCTION
Once the Egyptian goose has found a mate, it generally pairs for life. They make their
nests in a wide variety of spots, using the grasses and leaves of the plants in their local
habitat. They line the nest with soft feathers to ensure that the tiny chicks are warm and
comfortable. The male and the female both take turns in incubating the eggs (generally
ranging from five to eight eggs), and then in caring for the chicks once they have
hatched. Although they will usually choose spring in which to breed, these geese are
known to lay their eggs all year round.
Once the chicks are hatched, they will be cared for by both of their parents. They learn
to fly at around 11 weeks of age, but continue to stick close to their parents for a few
months.
INCUBATION
28 to 30 days.
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Between 20 and 25 years.
PREDATORS
Due to the intrusive nature and loud noise of these birds, as well as their feeding on
crops, they continue to face some threat by the humans in whose vicinity they intrude.
In addition, they face some challenges in terms of the loss of suitable habitat, thanks to
pollution and urbanisation. However, they are not endangered in any way, and there
remain massive numbers of Egyptian geese all over the continent.
