The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) is a large, distinctive, pale-colored waterbird which is easily recognized by the conspicuous dark chocolate-brown patch around its eye. The head and neck are pale buff, and there is another dark brown patch around the base of the beak, usually joined to the eye patch by a narrow line. The Egyptian goose has buff-colored underparts, which become paler on the flanks and belly, and a variable but distinctive chocolate-brown patch on the lower breast. The upperparts usually vary from reddish- to grey-brown, with a black back, rump and tail, while the crown and back of the neck may show dark mottling, sometimes appearing reddish-brown. There is a narrow, dark reddish-brown collar around the base of the long neck. The ends of the wings are black and bear an iridescent green speculum, which is separated from the contrasting white forewings by a narrow black line. The Egyptian goose has pinkish legs and feet, which become redder in the breeding season. The eyes are orange and the beak is pink, with a black tip, black nostrils and black edges. The female Egyptian goose resembles the male, but is smaller and often has darker markings on the beak. The sexes can also be distinguished by their calls, the male giving a strong but hoarse hissing sound while the female gives a harsh, trumpeting quack. Juvenile Egyptian geese are duller in color, with a grey tinge on the forewings, a darker crown and neck, and a yellowish beak and legs. Juveniles also lack the distinctive dark eye and breast patches of the adult.

Alopochen aegyptiaca is widely distributed throughout its native range, Africa, and southern Europe. It is especially common in southern Africa, below the Sahara and in the Nile Valley. In the 18th century, Alopochen aegyptiaca was introduced into Great Britain, and a substantial population still thrives there today. Currently Alopochen aegyptiaca is colonizing the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Introduced , Native ); ethiopian (Native )

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

The Egyptian goose is widespread in Africa south of the Sahara, particularly in eastern and southern Africa, and also occurs in the Nile Valley into Egypt. This species also formerly occurred in Israel until the 1930s and in south-eastern Europe until the early 18th century. Introduced populations now occur in Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

Egyptian geese have long necks, long pink legs, a pink bill and brown eye patches encircling each eye. They are distinguished from closely related species by a brown patch in the middle of the chest. The upper wings and the head are brown, while the rest of the body is light brown. The underside of the wings is white and green. Juveniles do not have the brown eye patches or a patch on the chest.

Egyptian geese are anywhere from 63 to 73 cm in height and they can weigh from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. The wingspan is fairly large, measuring 38 cm, on average.

Distinguishing between males and females can be a challenge. The females are smaller than the males, but otherwise both sexes look alike. One way to tell them apart is by their sound. Males make a raspy hiss, while females produce a cackling sound. Although they are not terribly vocal, when they are feeling aggressive or stressed they will make a great deal of noise.

Range mass: 1500 to 2250 g.

Range length: 73 to 63 cm.

Range wingspan: 35 to 40 cm.

Average wingspan: 38 cm.

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; male larger

Length: 63 - 73 cm. Wingspan: 134 - 154 cm. Weight: 1.1 - 4 kg.

• Terrestrial
• Freshwater

Egyptian geese will not populate densely wooded areas, though they can be found in meadows, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Most of their time is spent in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. They can be found as high as 4000 m.

Range elevation: 4000 (high) m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh ; swamp ; bog

Other Habitat Features: agricultural ; riparian

This species inhabits a variety of wetland habitats in open country, including rivers, dams, lakes, reservoirs, marshes, estuaries, sewage works and sometimes offshore islands, and it occurs at elevations of up to around 4,000 metres. The Egyptian goose generally avoids densely forested areas, appearing to prefer water bodies with open shorelines, close to grasslands or agricultural land where it can graze.

Egyptian geese are mainly herbivores, they eat young grass from grasslands or savannahs, grains (particularly wheat) from agricultural fields, and soft vegetation like leaves and other detritus. Many tend to forage away from the water in pastures or arable land. Part of their diet includes a wide variety of small insects, terrestrial worms and frogs that live in nearby ponds.

Animal Foods: amphibians; insects; terrestrial worms

Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Granivore )

Since these geese tend to eat much of their food on land, they help disperse seeds, break up soil and decompose dead plants.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; biodegradation ; soil aeration

Egyptian geese swim, travel and feed in flocks. Living in flocks may be a defense against predators since there are more individuals present to look out for predators and give a warning.

Predators include: lions (Panthera leo), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), hyenas (subfamily Hyaeninae), crocodiles (genus Crocodylus) and vultures (family Accipitridae).

Known Predators:

• lions (Panthera leo)
• cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
• hyenas (Hyaeninae)
• crocodiles (Crocodylus)
• Old World vultures (Accipitridae)

Distinguishing between male and female Egyptian geese can be a challenge. One way to tell them apart is by their sound. Males make a raspy hiss, while females produce a cackling sound. Although they are not terribly vocal, when they are feeling aggressive or stressed they will make a great deal of noise.

The males are quite aggressive when mating. Each male performs a noisy and elaborate courtship display, emitting unusually loud honking noises.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

The Egyptian goose often grazes on land, feeding on a variety of plant matter including grasses, seeds, shoots, leaves, grain and crops. It also takes food items from shallow water, including algae and aquatic plants, and sometimes takes animal matter such as worms, locusts or winged termites. In some areas, individuals undertake seasonal movements linked to water availability and, after breeding, large flocks of Egyptian geese may gather during the annual moult.

The breeding season of this species varies with location, but usually occurs in the spring or at the end of the dry season. In South Africa, breeding may occur at any time of year, but is mainly recorded from May to December with a July to October peak, and the introduced population in the Netherlands breeds from February to August. Pairs nest singly, typically building the nest out of reeds, leaves and grass, lined with down. The nest may be built among vegetation on the ground or near water, in a hole in an embankment or tree, on a cliff ledge or building, or even in the abandoned nest of another bird species. Between 5 and 12 unmarked, white or creamy eggs are laid, hatching after 28 to 30 days. The female solely incubates the eggs, whilst the male guards the nesting territory. The chicks fledge at around 60 to 75 days, but do not reach sexual maturity until about two years old. The Egyptian goose has lived up to 25 years in captivity.

The lifespan of Alopochen aegyptiacus in the wild has not been documented. At the Woodland Park Zoo, an Egyptian goose lived for fourteen years.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 14 (high) years.

The males are quite aggressive when mating. Each male performs a noisy and elaborate courtship display, emitting unusually loud honking noises. Under normal circumstances, Egyptian geese are reserved, quiet animals, but during mating season they are just the opposite. A male will act in this manner in order to attract a female. Since Egyptian geese are monogamous, one male and one female nest alone in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground.

Mating System: monogamous

Egyptian geese breed in the spring or at the end of the dry season (The breeding season is anywhere from July to March, depending on the area). At the age of two, Alopochen aeygptiacus reach sexual maturity. Nest locations are usually near water for safety and near grassland for feeding; the nests are made out of feathers and vegetation and are located in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground. Pairs sometimes find nests on the ground or use deserted nests of other larger bird species (such as Buteo buteo (common buzzard) or Pica pica (black-billed magpie)), which can be located in trees or on high ledges. The male goose fertilizes the female internally. Five to twelve eggs are laid, and they are incubated for 28 to 30 days. The young fledge in 70 days.

Breeding interval: Egyptian Geese breed just once each year.

Breeding season: The majority breed in the spring or at the end of the dry season. The breeding season is anywhere from July to March, depending on the area.

Range eggs per season: 5 to 12.

Range time to hatching: 28 to 30 days.

Average fledging age: 70 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization

Incubation lasts from 28 to 30 days and is done by both parents. The father protects the eggs and chicks, while the mother guides them and keeps them close to her. The chicks are precocial.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; precocial ; pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male, Female)

As the most widely distributed member of their family in Africa, Egyptian geese seem to be managing quite well. Due to the increased availability of water in Southern Africa, numbers have gone up in the past few years. Egyptian geese are listed as Appendix III by CITES.

CITES: appendix iii

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: no special status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

Resident breeder.

Least Concern.

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

The Egyptian goose is a widespread and relatively common species, and is not currently considered at risk of extinction. In some parts of its range it is regarded as an agricultural pest and is shot or poisoned, or sometimes hunted for sport, although not in large numbers as its meat is not popular. In southern Africa the Egyptian goose has expanded its range during the last century, as a result of its ability to exploit dams and expanding agriculture. Introduced populations in Europe also appear to be increasing and to be extending their ranges.

Due to the large numbers of Egyptian geese in southern Africa, farmers have been known to complain about attacks on their crops. Groups of geese graze on young, sprouting plants, causing great damage to the farmer's crops.

Negative Impacts: crop pest

Alopochen aegyptiacus are not hunted by many people because they live in such remote locations, but some farmers may shoot at them to scare them away from their agricultural fields. Egyptian Geese may also aid in decreasing pest populations around lakes or fields.

Positive Impacts: food ; controls pest population