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Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

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Scientific Name:

Alopochen aegyptiaca


Distribution

Africa S of Sahara, Nile Valley. Introduced and spreading in several European countries, especially Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany


Diet:

Herbivore - grass, seeds, leaves, stems of aquatic plants, grain, shoots and potatoes, sometimes worms, locusts and termite alates.


Facts

Habitat: diversity of wetlands (dams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, marshes etc) in open country.


Incubation: 28-30 days / 7-8 eggs


Social structure: pairs or flocks of up to 2000 birds


Weight: max 2,3kg


Dimensions: max 73cm wing span: max 1.5m


Lifespan: 25 under human care


Estimated population in the wild: relatively common species


Threats: persecuted as an agricultural pest, by shooting and poisoning in parts of its range. Hunted for sport  although not in large numbers.


IUCN status: least consern


Did you know that:

  1. Occasionally perches on or follows hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) to feed on disturbed plant and animal matter
  2. They nest on the ground, but also in tree holes or even in abandoned nests of other bird species.

 




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