Egyptian Goose
Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca), which is more closely related to shelducks than other geese, are indigenous to the eastern and southern parts of Africa and have been listed on the Invasive Species Compendium for North America. This species is also very popular in zoos and aviaries, in which they can escape and create wild populations outside of their home range. Wild Egyptian Goose populations in the United States are primarily found in Florida, Texas, and California and have also colonized in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
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Egyptian Geese have both pink bills and legs, and display brown eye patches around their red eyes that can range from a rusty to a rich brown. The rest of the head is a light gray and white. Egyptian Geese males and females have similar plumage, but females are smaller than the males and can be seen in close proximity. While it is difficult to distinguish males from females among Egyptian Geese, juveniles can be easily identified from the adults as they lack brown plumage around the eyes and/or patch on the chest. The Egyptian Goose has striking wing plumage, with the wing being jet black and only the tertials and coverts snow white, with a single black band running perpendicularly through the white upper wing patch.
Egyptian Geese can be found in open meadows and agricultural fields near rivers, ponds, and other wetlands. Their affinity for agricultural areas makes them regarded as a pest in some areas, due to enormous amounts of crop damage in certain areas. Though they have a single mate during the breeding season, this species tends to stay a part of a flock year-round, likely for protection. Being a social bird comes with consequences as Egyptian Geese are very aggressive towards one another, their constant vocalizations of kak-kak and hissing are the epitome for showing annoyance. Egyptian Geese are so territorial that they have been documented to kill a rival pair’s chicks to provide for their own.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Heard before seen, harsh hisses and guttural, almost braying cackles. Over the hill top they appeared, goose-like forms beelining toward simple-but-effective hand-fashioned silhouettes placed 100 meters beyond our shooting line. Staccato shotgun reports to the left, mostly, and to the right before a trio 30 yards off the deck flew over my position. Shotgun shouldered and swinging smoothly, recoil pluses, birds crumpling, dusty thuds as they crashed on parched earth behind. Frost-covered crop stubble shone bronze in the morning’s first sunbeams illuminated, could have been anywhere, but by mid morning it’d warmed 25 degrees. A reminder: I’m in Africa. The tide eventually shifted, pulses of satiated Egyptian Geese trafficking back the lake roost, slowing like someone tightening a spigot. But then we too were satiated, crumbs from our feast strewn about our feet, spent shotshell husks. Coffee or tea, crumpets, on a red-check covered fold out table before photos. On the way out we stopped by a nearby farmhouse, crude adobe walls with thatched roof. The youngest of the 2 brothers was skinny as split rail, inarticulate and lacking full mental capacity, wearing one rubber boot. Smiled innocently as he approached the truck and smiled while walking back with as many geese as he could carry. South Africa is open and looking forward to returning in a couple months. Geese are just the appetizer. Full-on combo of waterfowl and upland birds, Mexico-like volume, trophy import possible. But incredible experiences. It’s Africa after all. Follow our IG stories for real-time adventure updates @ramseyrussellgetducks
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