Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Habitat
Ground
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
1.9 kg
About This Species
Look for these distinctive geese, with their dark eye patches and pinkish legs, grazing on grass near lakes, rivers and park ponds, often in pairs or small family groups. They are highly vocal and can be aggressive toward other waterfowl, especially when defending goslings in spring and early summer. Any time of year offers viewing near suitable wetlands, though breeding season brings the most active and visible behavior.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep a distance of at least 10 metres, more if goslings are present, since adults can behave defensively and may charge if they feel a brood is threatened.
- As a naturalized species outside its native African range, legal protections vary widely and in some regions it is managed as a non-native species with different rules than native waterfowl, so check local guidance rather than assuming full protection.
- Avoid feeding them, as this encourages aggressive behavior toward people and other birds.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
2,146,023 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
Traits
- Diet
- PlantSeed
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 1.9 kg
Photo
(c) Andre Harmse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Andre Harmse
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.