Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) - Picture taken in Franconia / Bavaria, Germany
Key Data
Size: 63 - 73 cm
Weight: 1.2 - 2.2 kg
Food: Grasses, leaves, seeds, insects
Season: All year
Observation Tip: Fields, parks, all types of water bodies
Photography Tips
Lens: From 300 mm
Difficulty Level: Easy
The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) originates from Africa and is the only known representative of its genus. Today, it is often classified as a semi-goose and prefers nutrient-rich inland lakes and rivers as its habitat. In Africa, it is considered the most commonly encountered waterfowl. In recent decades, the Egyptian goose has spread along the Rhine in Central Europe, starting from captive escapees mainly from the Netherlands. Nowadays, it can also be found in urban parks, lakes, and other places frequented by humans.
The term "Egyptian goose" in German is derived from the Nile River in the species' Egyptian homeland, as indicated by the scientific species name "aegyptiaca." The genus name "Alopochen" comes from Greek and means "fox goose." In older literature, this term is occasionally used for the Egyptian goose, which sometimes nests in fox burrows. However, this term is incorrect for the Egyptian goose, as it does not nest in fox burrows but rather in trees. Perhaps the name also refers to the reddish-brown color of the back feathers, reminiscent of the fur color of a red fox.
The Egyptian goose is characterized by its comparatively long legs and dark eye patch. Males and females are nearly identical, with males being slightly larger. The distinctive coloration of adult birds develops after about four to five months, when the eye and breast patches are fully formed. There is also a somewhat grayer color variant, which can vary in intensity, as well as different shades of bill color, ranging from pale red to deep red. In captive escapees, Egyptian geese often have very red bills. During flight, Egyptian geese, like barnacle geese, display a large white wing patch. The full molt of adult birds begins toward the end of the breeding season, starting with the replacement of body feathers. Subsequently, the primary feathers are shed, and the tail feathers are replaced. Juvenile molt begins when the young birds are about three months old. During this time, the brown eye patch is molted first, followed by the breast patch at about five months old.
The vocal repertoire of Egyptian geese varies by gender. Male birds emit a hoarse, wheezing hiss, while they emit a loud series of "wräd-wräd..." when taking off. Females, on the other hand, chatter quickly and piercingly, almost like a trumpet. This sound is often described as "honk-hää-hää-hää" and becomes even louder when they are more excited. In this case, it involves multi-syllabic call sequences that sound like "honk-honk-honk."
Originally, the Egyptian goose inhabited almost the entire African continent, with the exception of extremely arid areas. In the past, sightings also occurred in the Balkans, where it is now extinct. In the 19th century, there were numerous observations in Hungary and Bulgaria, but it is not certain whether it also bred there at that time. The distribution focus of the Egyptian goose in Africa lies in the savannah swamps and riverbanks of East Africa. It also benefits from the reservoirs built in South Africa, where its population and range have increased. In West Africa, the Egyptian goose is rare, and it is barely found along the lower Nile. In Africa, it inhabits waters from lowlands up to an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level.
The spread of the Egyptian goose, especially in urban areas, poses an increasing problem. Due to their aggressiveness, geese can occupy lawns and bike paths, disturbing recreational activities. The geese's droppings are also considered a nuisance and can lead to problems. In Frankfurt am Main, salmonella was detected in the feces of Egyptian geese in public swimming pools, which the health department considers a risk to the health of young children. Therefore, the city administration has decided to shoot the animals, which is controversial among scientists. Ornithologists like Martin Kraft from Philipps University Marburg question the potential threat of Egyptian goose droppings and emphasize that the droppings also come from other animals such as dogs and cats. The amount of food consumed by Egyptian geese corresponds to one-third of their body weight, and they excrete their droppings every three to four minutes, leading to rapid contamination even if only a few geese are present.
The Egyptian goose, considered an adaptable and aggressive species, can have implications for the native bird population, especially other waterfowl, due to its spread. Some examples include local and occasional displacement as well as aggressive behavior towards other waterfowl during the breeding season. Studies have shown that the aggressiveness depends on the bird density at the water body and not on the food supply. Egyptian geese mainly attack mallards and sometimes kill female mallards leading young. However, other waterfowl species such as tufted ducks and coots have not been attacked. In some cases, Egyptian geese have taken over white stork nests, peregrine falcon nests, and barn owl nesting sites, thereby hindering the breeding of these species. The EU has placed the Egyptian goose on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern, which means a ban on import, keeping, breeding, transportation, acquisition, use, exchange, and release. Member states must implement effective management measures to eliminate, control, or contain a population of Egyptian geese.
