Alopochen aegyptiaca  

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National Distribution:
Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

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Rights holder/AuthorNatureServe
Sourcehttp://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Alopochen+aegyptiacus

Status in Egypt:

Resident breeder.

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Rights holder/AuthorBibliotheca Alexandrina, BA Cultnat, Bibliotheca Alexandrina - EOL Ar
Sourcehttp://lifedesk.bibalex.org/ba/pages/1057

Egyptian geese have long necks, long pink legs, a pink bill and brown eye patches encircling each eye. They are distinguished from closely related species by a brown patch in the middle of the chest. The upper wings and the head are brown, while the rest of the body is light brown. The underside of the wings is white and green. Juveniles do not have the brown eye patches or a patch on the chest.

Egyptian geese are anywhere from 63 to 73 cm in height and they can weigh from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. The wingspan is fairly large, measuring 38 cm, on average.

Distinguishing between males and females can be a challenge. The females are smaller than the males, but otherwise both sexes look alike. One way to tell them apart is by their sound. Males make a raspy hiss, while females produce a cackling sound. Although they are not terribly vocal, when they are feeling aggressive or stressed they will make a great deal of noise.

Range mass: 1500 to 2250 g.

Range length: 73 to 63 cm.

Range wingspan: 35 to 40 cm.

Average wingspan: 38 cm.

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; male larger

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alopochen_aegyptiaca/

NatureServe Conservation Status:

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorNatureServe
Sourcehttp://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Alopochen+aegyptiacus

Habitat and Ecology:

Habitat and Ecology

Behaviour This species is largely sedentary over much of its range1, although it may make seasonal nomadic or dispersive movements related to water availability1, 2, 5. It also undertakes annual post-breeding moult migrations to favoured waters2. The timing of the breeding season in this solitary nester varies geographically, with pairs in some regions nesting in the spring or at the end of the dry season1, whereas nesting in other areas, such as southern Africa, peaks in the middle of winter and does not necessarily correspond with local rainfall patterns6. Outside of the breeding season the species may occur in flocks consisting of hundreds or thousands of individuals (e.g. during moult), although it is most common in pairs or small groups2. It forages diurnally2, mostly in the morning and evening4. Habitat The species inhabits a wide range of freshwater wetlands in open country from sea level up to 4,000 m (Ethiopia)1, 3, including reservoirs, dams, pans, lakes, large ponds, rivers, marshes, sewage works, estuaries and offshore islands2 (although it is generally absent from coastal regions)5. It shows a preference for water-bodies with open shorelines and rich plant growth in close proximity to meadows, grassland and arable land for grazing1, generally avoiding densely forested areas1, 3. Diet Its diet consists predominantly of vegetable matter such as the seeds, leaves and stems of grasses and other terrestrial plants, crop shoots1, 2 (e.g. maize, wheat, oats, lucerne, groundnuts and barley)2, potato tubers1, algae and aquatic weeds2, as well as some animal matter (worms, locusts1 and termite alates2). Breeding site The nest is a shallow depression5 in plant matter1, 5 usually placed not far from water3. Nest sites are highly variable3 but include dense vegetation on the ground1, 2, 3, 5, reedy vegetation near water, the ground under bushes or trees2, burrows in embankments5, holes and cavities in trees1, cliff ledges and rural buildings, caves2, and the abandoned nests of other large bird species1, 2, 3 up to 60 m above the ground5.

Systems

  • Terrestrial
  • Freshwater
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/100600396

Threats:

Major Threats

The species is persecuted by shooting and poisoning in parts of its range (it is regarded as an agricultural pest)2. Utilisation The species is also hunted for sport1 although not in large numbers2.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/100600396

Egyptian geese will not populate densely wooded areas, though they can be found in meadows, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Most of their time is spent in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. They can be found as high as 4000 m.

Range elevation: 4000 (high) m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh ; swamp ; bog

Other Habitat Features: agricultural ; riparian

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alopochen_aegyptiaca/

Due to the large numbers of Egyptian geese in southern Africa, farmers have been known to complain about attacks on their crops. Groups of geese graze on young, sprouting plants, causing great damage to the farmer's crops.

Negative Impacts: crop pest

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alopochen_aegyptiaca/

Egyptian geese are mainly herbivores, they eat young grass from grasslands or savannahs, grains (particularly wheat) from agricultural fields, and soft vegetation like leaves and other detritus. Many tend to forage away from the water in pastures or arable land. Part of their diet includes a wide variety of small insects, terrestrial worms and frogs that live in nearby ponds.

Animal Foods: amphibians; insects; terrestrial worms

Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Granivore )

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alopochen_aegyptiaca/

Alopochen aegyptiacus are not hunted by many people because they live in such remote locations, but some farmers may shoot at them to scare them away from their agricultural fields. Egyptian Geese may also aid in decreasing pest populations around lakes or fields.

Positive Impacts: food ; controls pest population

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Alopochen_aegyptiaca/
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith