Alopochen aegyptiaca - The Egyptian Goose

 

Alopochen aegyptiaca - The Egyptian goose 

Written by Lachlan Royle - BSc Ecology and conservation student 

An ancient Egyptian art piece depicting the Egyptian goose amongst other animals 

The Egyptian Goose: This rather splendid looking wildfowl is a bird that brings about polarising opinions from many members of the public especially in Norfolk where it is particularly prominent in the United Kingdom. Loved by some for its looks and despised by others who consider it a pest, either way it is becoming an increasingly common sight in the east of England. 

History and Taxonomy 

A pair of Egyptian geese on campus by colney playing fields on campus 

The Egyptian goose unsurprisingly due to its name hails from Egypt and other Sub-Saharan African countries. As a result they often appear in ancient Egyptian paintings and other forms of art as they were revered as sacred by the Egyptian people. Their Latin word Alopochen derives from an ancient Greek term meaning Fox Goose, which refers to the reddish brown colour that makes up the majority of their feathers. Egyptian Geese whilst by name are Geese are by no other means Geese. Rather they are a large species of duck, the 3rd largest that can be regularly seen in the UK behind the common Eider and the common Shelduck. They have a heavy flight pattern similar to a goose which is one of the reasons they earned their names. Taxonomically the Egyptian goose is the only living member of its genus and its closest living relatives are believed to be the Shelducks. Behaviourally they share some traits with the shelduck as they will roost in trees to avoid terrestrial predators as well as opportunistically using tree cavities to nest, they are also known to nest on the ground if they need to and even use other ducks nests. Visually both males and females look alike with the distinctive difference being in their calls. Both parents will incubate the eggs and play a role parentally with the     standard clutch sizes between 5-12. 

Distribution and local Influence 

An individual at Whitlingham broad next to a Graylag goose demonstrating the size of the species 

The Egyptian goose was informally introduced to the UK in the 17th century however it was officially added to the British bird list in 1971. In its native lands in Africa most of the isolated populations are declining due to predation, for that same reason they are thriving in the UK as there are few predatory animals here capable of tackling a full grown adult. Norfolk houses the UKs largest population of Egyptian geese with an estimated 900 breeding pairs in the county, half of the countries total. However this does show how the species has spread since 1990 where Norfolk housed 91% of the British population. The species now have breeding populations throughout East Anglia, the East Midlands, London and its surrounding areas and parts of Kent with distribution only projected to expand in years to come. Due to the population only rising however and the Egyptian Geese being large and hardy they are outcompeting many other native species which has lead to them building up a bad reputation. The future of this species in the UK will be interesting to see, whether they will continue to be allowed to thrive and expand their territory or instead be persecuted and culled will remain to be seen.