Spur-Winged Goose
Plectropterus gambensis
Habitat
Ground
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
3.9 kg
About This Species
A large, dark waterbird of sub-Saharan wetlands, floodplains and adjacent grassland, often seen grazing on land in small flocks alongside other waterfowl. The bare red facial skin and prominent white wing patches in flight make it easy to identify. Best looked for around dawn and dusk near lakes, dams and rivers where it feeds on grasses, seeds and aquatic vegetation.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep a good distance, at least several tens of metres, especially near nesting or moulting birds, since large waterfowl can be flushed easily and flightless during moult.
- Protection of wetland birds and their habitats varies considerably across the many African countries this species ranges through, from strict reserve regulations to more limited general wildlife law, so defer to local park or reserve rules rather than assuming a single standard.
- Viewing from a vehicle or hide at a wetland edge is generally the least disturbing option.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
175,022 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
- 3.9 kg
Photo
(c) Claudia Komesu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Claudia Komesu
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.