EGYPTIAN GOOSE
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – (See images below)
The Egyptian Goose is native to most of Africa south of the Sahara. The plumage is a mix of brown and beige, with a large white band on the wing for the drake. The bill is mottled brown and the legs are pink. Instead of having a ‘black eye’, this species of goose has a ‘brown eye’.
As opposed to other species of goose, the Egyptian goose feeds on the ground from vegetal material but also from small animals.
The English name ‘Goose’ would have different origins, such as Dutch and German ‘Gans’, Old Norse ‘Gas’, even Spanish ‘Ganso’. Then this would relate the name to Latin ‘anser’ for ‘goose’.
The ancient Egyptians illustrated in their art this bird which was considered as sacred. It is bred for food and also raised as an ornamental bird in Africa.
The Egyptian goose is related to the shelduck, a large type of duck (see example here).
The Egyptian Goose is native to most of Africa south of the Sahara. The plumage is a mix of brown and beige, with a large white band on the wing for the drake. The bill is mottled brown and the legs are pink. Instead of having a ‘black eye’, this species of goose has a ‘brown eye’.
As opposed to other species of goose, the Egyptian goose feeds on the ground from vegetal material but also from small animals.
The English name ‘Goose’ would have different origins, such as Dutch and German ‘Gans’, Old Norse ‘Gas’, even Spanish ‘Ganso’. Then this would relate the name to Latin ‘anser’ for ‘goose’.
The ancient Egyptians illustrated in their art this bird which was considered as sacred. It is bred for food and also raised as an ornamental bird in Africa.
The Egyptian goose is related to the shelduck, a large type of duck (see example here).
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| Egyptian geese foraging, Tanzania |
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| Egyptian goose with her goslings |
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| Egyptian geese flock in Tanzania |