The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) 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.

Taxonomy

The Egyptian goose was formally described in 1766 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Anas aegyptiaca. Linnaeus partly based his account on the "L'oye d'Egypte" that had been described and illustrated in 1760 by the French ornithologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in his Ornithologie. Brisson used the Latin name Anser Egyptiatiacus but although he coined Latin names for species, these do not conform to the binomial system and are not recognised by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. The Egyptian goose is now placed with the extinct Mauritius sheldgoose and the extinct Reunion sheldgoose in the genus Alopochen that was introduced in 1885 by the Norwegian born zoologist Leonhard Stejneger. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.

The Egyptian goose is believed to be most closely related to the shelducks (genus Tadorna) and their relatives, and is placed with them in the subfamily Tadorninae. It is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen, which also contains closely related prehistoric and recently extinct species. mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data suggest that the relationships of Alopochen to Tadorna need further investigation.

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. When it is aroused, either in alarm or aggression, the white is displayed.

The voices and vocalisations of the sexes differ, the male having a hoarse, subdued duck-like quack which seldom sounds unless it is aroused, as well as a louder, breathy call which is performed in a rapid sequence, sounding somewhat like a steam engine. The female has a far noisier raucous quack that frequently sounds in aggression when tending her young. though it has become scarce in the northern Nile Valley. It is found in open or semi-open habitats, typically near fresh water, ranging from lowlands to above sea level in the Ethiopian Highlands, and largely absent from dense forests and deserts.

Introduced populations

United Kingdom

The British populations of the Egyptian goose date back to the 17th century when it was introduced to estates and parks, where it breeds at sites with open water, short grass and suitable nesting locations (either islands, holes in old trees or amongst epicormic shoots on old trees). During the winter they are widely dispersed in river valleys, where they feed on short grass and cereals. From these two countries, the species has experienced a relatively fast range expansion into adjacent countries, first spreading into Germany and France (where possibly supplemented by local escapees) in the mid-1980s, and then to the Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland in the early 2000s. Further observations, sometimes also involving isolated cases of breeding, have been made in Austria, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and elsewhere in mainland Europe, but it is not yet known to have become established in those countries. Therefore, this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, used, exchanged or intentionally released into the environment and member states are obliged to try to eradicate the species.

Elsewhere

In addition to Europe, the Egyptian goose has been introduced and established breeding populations in Mauritius, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Although the Egyptian goose was introduced to Australia and New Zealand, it did not become established in these countries. Egyptian geese usually mate for life. Both the male and female care for the offspring until they are old enough to care for themselves. lions, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and Old World vultures.

<gallery class="center">

Alopochen aegyptiacus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.13.2.jpg|Eggs from a clutch in France

Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) gosling 01.jpg|Gosling

Two ducklings walking into Kralingse Plas (DSC 8538).jpg|Goslings

Yeorit6.JPG|Immature birds

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca), Lake Ziway, Ethiopia.jpg|Subadult

Egyptian Goose Urzig Mosel jun 2018 (1).jpg|Female from the front

Egyptian Goose Urzig Mosel jun 2018 (16).jpg|Male (left) herding a female (right)

Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca), Kruger NP (11451534654), crop.jpg|A breeding pair (male closest) in South Africa

Egyptian goose.png|Male from the front, Israel

Alopochen aegyptiaca auf dem Bodensee.jpg|A breeding pair (male behind) in Germany

Egyptian-Goose.jpg|In flight, showing pied underwing

Egyptian goose (05633).jpg|Head, in London

Nilgans im Kraehennest.jpg|An usurped crow's nest in Germany

</gallery>

References

  • Egyptian Goose information from Birds of Britain
  • Egyptian Goose photos from Go Birding
  • Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
  • Egyptian goose Structured guide to the species in southern Africa