Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 84 countries, weighing about 1.9 kg. The Egyptian goose is an African member of the Anatidae family including ducks, geese, and swans.
About the Egyptian Goose
The Egyptian goose is an African member of the Anatidae family including ducks, geese, and swans. Because of their popularity chiefly as an ornamental bird, the species has also been introduced to Europe, the United States and elsewhere outside their natural range. Egyptian geese were regularly represented in ancient Egyptian art.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It swims well and appears heavy in flight, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name. On average, they are 63–73 cm (25–29 in) in length and weigh 1,500–2,348 g (3.307–5.176 lb) The sexes of this species are identical in plumage but the males are usually somewhat larger. They vary greatly in plumage tone, with some birds greyer and others browner, but this variation has not been observed to be sex- or age-related. A large part of the wings of mature birds is white, but the white is hidden by the wing coverts when at rest.
What the Egyptian Goose sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Australia, Morocco, Russia, Burundi, Malaysia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Ukraine.
When to see it
The Egyptian Goose can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Egyptian Goose on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Egyptian Goose?
- It swims well and appears heavy in flight, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Egyptian Goose?
- The Egyptian Goose is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.9 kg.
- Where can you see an Egyptian Goose?
- The Egyptian Goose occurs in 84 countries, including South Africa, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Belgium.
- What does an Egyptian Goose sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Egyptian Goose on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Egyptian Goose?
- The Egyptian Goose is most easily confused with the Surf Scoter, the Snow Goose and the Greater White-fronted Goose.
- Is the Egyptian Goose endangered?
- The Egyptian Goose is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Egyptian Goose for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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