Wikipedia

Egyptian goose

TheEgyptian goose(Alopochen aegyptiaca) is an African member of theAnatidaefamilyincludingducks,geese,andswans.Because of their popularity chiefly as anornamental bird,the species has also beenintroducedto Europe, the United States and elsewhere outside their natural range.[2][3][4]Egyptian geese were regularly represented inancient Egyptian art.[5]

Egyptian goose
Calls recorded in 1974 in theMasai Mara Game Reserve,Kenya
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Alopochen
Species:
A. aegyptiaca
Binomial name
Alopochen aegyptiaca
(Linnaeus,1766)
Native range ofA. aegyptiaca
Synonyms

Anas aegyptiacaLinnaeus, 1766

Taxonomy

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The Egyptian goose wasformally describedin 1766 by the Swedish naturalistCarl Linnaeusin thetwelfth editionof hisSystema Naturaeunder thebinomial nameAnas aegyptiaca.[6][7]Linnaeus partly based his account on the "L'oye d'Egypte" that had been described and illustrated in 1760 by the French ornithologistMathurin Jacques Brissonin hisOrnithologie.[8]Brisson used theLatinnameAnser Egyptiatiacusbut although he coined Latin names for species, these do not conform to thebinomial systemand are not recognised by theInternational Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.[9]The Egyptian goose is now placed with the extinctMauritius sheldgooseand the extinctReunion sheldgoosein the genusAlopochenthat was introduced in 1885 by the Norwegian born zoologistLeonhard Stejneger.[10][11]The species ismonotypic:nosubspeciesare recognised.[11]The generic nameAlopochen(literally,fox-goose) is based on Greekἀλωπός(alōpós,alsoἀλώπηξalōpēx), "fox", andχήν(chēn) "goose", referring to the ruddy colour of its back. The word χήν: chēn is grammatically of either masculine or feminine gender. The species nameaegyptiacus(oraegyptiaca) is from the LatinAegyptiacus,"Egyptian".[12]

The Egyptian goose is believed to be most closely related to theshelducks(genusTadorna) and their relatives, and is placed with them in thesubfamilyTadorninae.It is the only extant member of thegenusAlopochen,which also contains closely related prehistoric and recently extinct species.mtDNAcytochromebsequencedata suggest that the relationships ofAlopochentoTadornaneed further investigation.[13]

Description

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Adult and goslings

It swims well and appears heavy in flight, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name.[14]On average, they are 63–73 cm (25–29 in) tall.

The sexes of this species are identical in plumage but the males are usually somewhat larger. They vary greatly in plumage tone, with some birds greyer and others browner, but this variation has not been observed to be sex- or age-related. A large part of the wings of mature birds is white, but the white is hidden by the wing coverts when at rest. When it is aroused, either in alarm or aggression, the white is displayed.[15]

Egyptian geese in the wild can live for up to 15 years, while captive individuals have been recorded reaching an age of 35.[16]

The voices and vocalisations of the sexes differ, the male having a hoarse, subdued duck-like quack which seldom sounds unless it is aroused, as well as a louder, breathy call which is performed in a rapid sequence, sounding somewhat like asteam engine.[17]The female has a far noisier raucous quack that frequently sounds in aggression when tending her young.[18]The male Egyptian goose attracts its mate with an elaborate, noisy courtship display that includes honking, neck stretching and feather displays.[19]

Distribution

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The Egyptian goose is native toSub-Saharan Africaand theNile Valley,where it is widespread and common to abundant,[20]though it has become scarce in the northern Nile Valley.[21]It is found in open or semi-open habitats, typically near fresh water, ranging from lowlands to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level in theEthiopian Highlands,and largely absent from dense forests and deserts.[15][20]While not breeding, it disperses somewhat, sometimes making longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of theSahel,and occasionally even reaching the North African nations of Algeria and Tunisia,[15][20]historically a more frequent part of its range.[21]

It was found in southeastern Europe (up to the lowerDanube Valleyand southern Hungary) until the early 1700s, and in parts of Turkey and the western Middle East until the early 1900s (and has since re-established through escaped captives), but its historical ranges in these places is incompletely known and the reason for the disappearances is also unknown.[20][21][22]

Introduced populations

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United Kingdom

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The British populations of the Egyptian goose date back to the 17th century when it was introduced to estates and parks,[4][23]though the species was only formally added to the British bird list in 1971.[24]The British introductions were the first outside its native range; however, these individuals did not spread widely and are not known to have expanded into other countries.[4][23]In Great Britain, it is found mainly inEast Anglia,and in various locations along theRiver Thames,[25][26]where it breeds at sites with open water, short grass and suitable nesting locations (either islands, holes in old trees or amongstepicormic shootson old trees). During the winter, they are widely dispersed within river valleys, where they feed on short grass and cereals.[27][28]In the United Kingdom in 2009, it was officially declared a non-native species. Accordingly, Egyptian geese in Great Britain may be shot without special permission if they cause problems.[29]

Mainland Europe

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The Egyptian goose was first introduced to the Netherlands in 1967 and to Belgium in 1982, and these formed the basis for the population in mainland Europe, likely supplemented by some captive escapees from other European countries.[4][23]From these two countries, the species has experienced a relatively fast range expansion into adjacent countries, first spreading into Germany and France (where possibly supplemented by local escapees) in the mid-1980s, and then to the Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland in the early 2000s.[4][23][30]Further observations, sometimes also involving isolated cases of breeding, have been made in Austria, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and elsewhere in mainland Europe, but it is not yet known to have become established in those countries.[4][23]

Because of its aggressiveness towards other birds, it may reduce or displace native species,[4][30]and since 2017 the Egyptian goose has been listed as aninvasive speciesin the European Union.[31]Therefore this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, used, exchanged or intentionally released into the environment and member states are obliged to try to eradicate the species.[32]

Elsewhere

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In addition to Europe, the Egyptian goose has been introduced and established breeding populations in Mauritius, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.[4]In the US, breeding populations are found inArkansas,California,Florida,Nebraska,OklahomaandTexas,with occasional reports of the species elsewhere.[33][34][35]Although the Egyptian goose was introduced to Australia and New Zealand, it did not become established in these countries.[35]

Behaviour

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This is a largely terrestrial species, which will also perch on trees and buildings.

This species will nest in a large variety of situations, especially in holes in mature trees in parkland. The female builds the nest from reeds, leaves and grass and both parents take turns incubating the eggs.[19]Egyptian geese usually mate for life. Both the male and female care for the offspring until they are old enough to care for themselves.[36]Such parental care, however, does not include foraging for the young, which are able to forage for themselves upon hatching.

Egyptian geese typically eat seeds, leaves, grasses and plant stems. Occasionally, they will eat locusts, worms, or other small animals. Until the goslings are a few weeks old and strong enough to graze, they feed largely on small aquatic invertebrates, especially freshwater plankton. As a result, ifanoxicconditions lead to the production ofbotulinum toxinand it gets passed up the food chain via worms and insect larvae insensitive to the toxin, entire clutches of goslings feeding on such prey may die. The parents, who do not eat such organisms to any significant extent, generally remain unaffected.

Both sexes are aggressively territorial towards their own species when breeding and frequently pursue intruders into the air, attacking them in aerial "dogfights".[18]Egyptian geese have been observed attacking aerial objects such as drones that enter their habitat as well. Neighbouring pairs may even kill another's offspring for their own offsprings' survival, as well as for more resources.[36]

In their native range, predators of Egyptian geese includeleopards,[37]lions,cheetahs,hyenas,crocodilesandOld World vultures.[38]

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  • Gosling
  • Goslings
  • Female from the front
  • Male (left) herding one of his females (right)
  • Immature birds
  • Subadult
  • In flight
  • Head
  • Front
  • Alopochen aegyptiacuseggs
  • Egyptian geese inGauteng,South Africa
  • Egyptian goose in a crow's nest that has been taken over in Germany.

References

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  1. ^BirdLife International (2018)."Alopochen aegyptiaca".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2018:e.T22679993A131910647.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22679993A131910647.en.Retrieved11 November2021.
  2. ^Dohner, Janet V. (2001).The Encyclopedia of Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds.Yale University Press.ISBN978-0300138139.
  3. ^Braun, D.G. (2004)."First documented nesting in the wild of Egyptian Geese in Florida"(PDF).Florida Field Naturalist.32(4):138–143. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2016-03-04.Retrieved2013-04-29.
  4. ^abcdefghHuysentruyt, F.; Callahan, C.T.; Stubbe, D.; Winston, K.; Adriaens, T.; Brooks, D.M. (2020). "Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegypticaca, Linnaeus, 1766)". In Downs, C.T.; L.A. Hart (eds.).Invasive Birds: Global Trends and Impacts.CABI International. pp.206–212.ISBN978-1-78924-206-5.
  5. ^Houlihan, Patrick F. (2023-09-30).The Birds of Ancient Egypt.Oxbow Books.ISBN979-8-88857-029-6.
  6. ^Linnaeus, Carl(1766).Systema naturae: per regna tria natura, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis(in Latin). Vol. 1, Part 1 (12th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 197.
  7. ^Mayr, Ernst;Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979).Check-List of Birds of the World.Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 449.
  8. ^Brisson, Mathurin Jacques(1760).Ornithologie, ou, Méthode Contenant la Division des Oiseaux en Ordres, Sections, Genres, Especes & leurs Variétés(in French and Latin). Vol. 6. Paris: Jean-Baptiste Bauche. pp.284–288.The two stars (**) at the start of the section indicates that Brisson based his description on the examination of a specimen.
  9. ^Allen, J.A.(1910)."Collation of Brisson's genera of birds with those of Linnaeus".Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History.28:317–335.hdl:2246/678.
  10. ^Stejneger, Leonhard(1885).Kingsley, John Sterling(ed.).The Standard Natural History.Vol. 4, Birds. Boston: S.E. Cassino. p. 141.
  11. ^abGill, Frank;Donsker, David;Rasmussen, Pamela,eds. (August 2024)."Screamers, ducks, geese & swans".IOC World Bird List Version 14.2.International Ornithologists' Union.Retrieved6 November2024.
  12. ^Jobling, James A (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names.London: Christopher Helm. pp.33,42.ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
  13. ^Sraml, M.; Christidis, L.; Easteal, S.; Horn, P.; Collet, C. (1996). "Molecular Relationships Within Australasian Waterfowl (Anseriformes)".Australian Journal of Zoology.44(1):47–58.doi:10.1071/ZO9960047.
  14. ^"What characteristics distinguish Egyptian Geese?".Archived fromthe originalon 16 June 2013.
  15. ^abcMadge, Steve; Burn, Hilary (1988).Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World.Boston: Houghton Mifflin. pp.170–171.ISBN978-0-395-46727-5.
  16. ^"Egyptian Goose".Lehigh Valley Zoo.Retrieved2024-01-21.
  17. ^"Egyptian Goose - Nord University Bird ID".
  18. ^abMacLean, Gordon L.; Roberts, Austin (1988).Roberts Birds of Southern Africa.Hyperion Books.ISBN978-1-85368-037-3.
  19. ^ab"Egyptian Goose Fact Sheet".Lincoln Park Zoo. Archived fromthe originalon 19 July 2011.
  20. ^abcdCarboneras, C. (1992). "Egyptian Goose". In del Hoyo, J.; A. Elliott; J. Sargatal (eds.).Handbook of the Birds of the World.Vol. I. Lynx Edicions. p. 589.ISBN84-87334-10-5.
  21. ^abcGyimesi, A.; Lensink, R. (30 September 2010)."Risk analysis of the Egyptian Goose in the Netherlands"(PDF).Bureau Waardenburg bv.Retrieved10 July2023.
  22. ^Marchant, J. (2022)."Alopochen aegyptiaca (Egyptian goose)".CABI Digital Library.doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.94205.Retrieved10 July2023.
  23. ^abcdeGyimesi, A.; Lensink, R. (2012). "Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca: an introduced species spreading in and from the Netherlands".Wildfowl.62:128–145.
  24. ^Holloway, Simon (2010).The Historical Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland 1875-1900.A & C Black.ISBN9781408128664.
  25. ^"Specieswatch: Egyptian goose".the Guardian.2014-05-25.Retrieved2021-04-29.
  26. ^"Illuminated River's New Sacred Friends".Illuminated River.3 May 2019.Retrieved2021-04-29.
  27. ^Sutherland, W. J.; Allport, G. (1991-07-01)."The distribution and ecology of naturalized Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus in Britain".Bird Study.38(2):128–134.Bibcode:1991BirdS..38..128S.doi:10.1080/00063659109477080.ISSN0006-3657.
  28. ^"Egyptian goose".RSPB. 13 December 2012.Retrieved28 April2013.
  29. ^McCarthy, Michael (30 September 2009)."Britain's naturalised parrot now officially a pest".The Independent.London.Retrieved1 May2010.
  30. ^abMazurska, K.; Solarz, W. (2016)."Risk Assessment of Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiacus"(PDF).European Union.Retrieved10 July2023.
  31. ^"List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern - Environment - European Commission".ec.europa.eu.Retrieved2021-07-26.
  32. ^"REGULATION (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European parliament and of the council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species".Archivedfrom the original on 2017-03-03.
  33. ^"Egyptian Goose".Audubon.2017-11-14.Retrieved2022-07-21.
  34. ^Clark, Gary (2011-11-04)."Non-native Egyptian geese proliferating in Texas".Houston Chronicle.Retrieved2020-05-22.
  35. ^abChesbro, C. (2015).Distribution of the Egyptian Goose (Alopochen Aegyptiacus) in Northwestern Arkansas and in the United States of America(Thesis). University of Arkansas.Retrieved10 July2023.
  36. ^ab"Egyptian Goose".Honolulu Zoo. Archived fromthe originalon 2 April 2012.
  37. ^"This goose feigns injury to save its chicks from a leopard".Animals.2018-12-04. Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2021.Retrieved2022-04-03.
  38. ^Tattan, Anna."Alopochen aegyptiaca (Egyptian goose)".Animal Diversity Web.Retrieved2022-04-02.
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