Egyptian Goose 1

by Linda Brody

Title

Egyptian Goose 1

Artist

Linda Brody

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Egyptian Goose enjoying a drink of water. Photo taken at the Santa Ana River Lakes, Anaheim, California.

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae. It is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley. The Egyptian goose is believed to be most closely related to the shelducks (genus Tadorna) and their relatives, and is placed with them in the subfamily Tadorninae. It is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen, which also contains closely related prehistoric and recently extinct species.

It swims well, and in flight looks heavy, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name. It is 63–73 cm (25–29 in) long.

The sexes of this species are identical in plumage but the males average slightly larger. There is a fair amount of variation in plumage tone, with some birds greyer and others browner, but this is not sex- or age-related. A large part of the wings of mature birds is white, but in repose the white is hidden by the wing coverts. When it is aroused, either in alarm or aggression, the white begins to show. In flight or when the wings are fully spread in aggression, the white is conspicuous.

The voices and vocalisations of the sexes differ, the male having a hoarse, subdued duck-like quack which seldom sounds unless it is aroused. The male Egyptian goose attracts its mate with an elaborate, noisy courtship display that includes honking, neck stretching and feather displays. The female has a far noisier raucous quack that frequently sounds in aggression and almost incessantly at the slightest disturbance when tending her young.

This photograph has been featured in the following Groups:
Poetic Poultry
FAA Bird Portraits
Nikon Full Frame Cameras
Nature Landmarks Landscapes and Wildlife
Wild Birds of the World
Lady Photographers and Artists
10+
The Road to Self Promotion
Water Forms
Ducks, Geese and Swans
Your Very Best Photograph
New FAA Uploads
Kingdom Anamalia

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Uploaded

June 25th, 2017

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