Egyptian goose

Egyptian goose

Egyptian goose © Tom Hibbert

An Egyptian goose sitting o a grassy bank

Egyptian goose © Tom Hibbert

A pair of Egyptian geese standing up and calling

Egyptian geese © Andy Morffew

Three Egyptian goose goslings and one of their parents snoozing by a river in an urban park

Egyptian goose with goslings in a park © Tom Hibbert

Egyptian goose

Scientific name: Alopochen aegyptiaca
Egyptian geese were introduced to Britain from Africa. They are now widespread in southern England.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 68 cm
Wingspan: 144 cm

Conservation status

Introduced

When to see

All year

About

Egyptian geese aren't true geese, they're members of the shelduck sub-family, Tadorninae. They are naturally found in Africa, in the Nile valley and south of the Sahara. They were introduced to Great Britain to be kept in wildfowl collections. Since then birds have escaped and established populations in the wild. They've also become established in other parts of Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and even the USA.

Egyptian geese are found on a variety of wetlands, including gravel pits, as well as in large urban parks. Their ideal habitat has open grass with a few trees, close to freshwater. They usually nest in cavities in old trees, but will also nest under bushes on islands, or in the nests of crows or raptors. They've been recorded taking over the nests of ospreys and outcompeting barn owls to use nest boxes. The main nesting season is from February to June, but they sometimes start laying eggs in January. They're highly territorial and will fiercely defend their territory, nesting site, and young.

How to identify

A large and distinctive water bird, shaped like a small, stocky goose. It has a pale, creamy brown body with a dark brown smudge on the lower breast. The neck and head are silvery-brown, with a darker patch around the eye. The wings are dark brown with large white panels one the inner forewing - sometimes seen when at rest, but obvious in flight. It's legs and beak are pink.

Distribution

Largest populations in south-central England, East Anglia, and the East Midlands.

Did you know?

Egyptian geese are capable of nesting well away from the water. Adults have been known to walk their young for over a kilometre to find a suitable waterside location to raise them.