Egyptian Goose

Description:

This bird swims well, and in flight looks heavy, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name. It is 63–73 cm long.

Habitat:

At a small river damm close to Malelane gate, Kruger National Park

Notes:

Egyptian Geese typically eat seeds, leaves, grasses, and plant stems. Occasionally, they will eat locusts, worms, or other small animals. The female Egyptian goose resembles the male, but is smaller and often has darker markings on the beak. The sexes can also be distinguished by their calls, the male giving a strong but hoarse hissing sound while the female gives a harsh, trumpeting quack. The Egyptian goose is widespread in Africa south of the Sahara, particularly in eastern and southern Africa, and also occurs in the Nile Valley into Egypt. This species also formerly occurred in Israel until the 1930s and in south-eastern Europe until the early 18th century. Introduced populations now occur in Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.