Egyptian Goose

Afrikaans name: Kolgans

An Egyptian Goose in flight

Photo © Steven Herbert

Alopochen aegyptiacus

The Egyptian Goose was a sacred bird to the ancient Egyptians. They are found in the Nile River Valley and in sub-Saharan Africa. This 'goose' is actually a Shelduck.

It is an extremely common bird in many areas around South Africa. They adapt well to living near humans.

The Egyptian Goose is often found on land although they are good swimmers. They may be seen in trees or on buildings.

The pair nest in trees or in vegetation and the nest can be away from the water. They make excellent parents and defend their youngsters aggressively.

Egyptian Geese pair for life. The plumage of the male and female is identical. Males are slightly larger than females.

They mainly feed on vegetable material including farm crops. In some areas it is considered a pest and is hunted. Apart from vegetable material they also eat insects and worms.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Something cute - an Egyptian Goose gosling

Below - Something not so cute - a juvenile Egyptian Goose sprawled out on a lawn.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	89	Alopochen aegyptiacus
2nd	89	Alopochen aegyptiacus
3rd	89	Alopochen aegyptiacus
4th	89	Alopochen aegyptiacus
5th	102	Alopochen aegyptiacus
6th	102	Alopochen aegyptiaca
7th	25	Alopochen aegyptiaca

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	89	Egyptian Goose
2nd	89	Egyptian Goose
3rd	89	Egyptian Goose
4th	89	Egyptian Goose
5th	102	Egyptian Goose
6th	102	Egyptian Goose
7th	25	Egyptian Goose

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	89	Nyl-gans
2nd	89	Kolgans
3rd	89	Kolgans
4th	89	Kolgans
5th	102	Kolgans
6th	102	Kolgans
7th	25	Kolgans

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 38

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 39

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 32

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 46

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 44

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 6

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 34

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 133

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 5

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 76

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 72

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 82

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 83

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 57

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 61

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 44

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 3

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 28

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 88

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 88

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 35

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 176

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 408

Gamebirds of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1967 - Page: 10

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 64

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 46

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 45

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 13

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 178

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 128

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 40

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 13

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 46

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 11

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 32

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 35

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 36

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 30

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 1 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 16

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 10

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 64

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 54

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 60

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 168

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 51

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 168

A Coloured Key to the Wildfowl of the World - Author: Peter Scott - Published: 1957 - Page: 44

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List of South African Birds