Spur-winged Goose

Afrikaans name: Wildemakou

Spur-winged Goose

Photo © Steven Herbert

Plectropterus gambensis

The Spur-winged Goose is a widespread and common species. It is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa.

This large bird can weigh over 6 kg with a wingspan of nearly 2 metres.

Virtually any water habitat is home to the Spur-winged Goose.

Most often Spur-winged Geese are seen in small to medium-sized flocks. They eat a variety of vegetable matter.

The Spur-winged Goose breeds in a variety of places including dense vegetation and hollows in trees and rocks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	88	Plectropterus gambensis
2nd	88	Plectropterus gambensis
3rd	88	Plectropterus gambensis
4th	88	Plectropterus gambensis
5th	116	Plectropterus gambensis
6th	116	Plectropterus gambensis
7th	27	Plectropterus gambensis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	88	Spurwing Goose
2nd	88	Spurwing Goose
3rd	88	Spurwing Goose
4th	88	Spur-winged Goose
5th	116	Spurwinged Goose
6th	116	Spurwinged Goose
7th	27	Spur-winged Goose

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	88	Wilde-makou
2nd	88	Wilde-makou
3rd	88	Wildemakou
4th	88	Wildemakou
5th	116	Wildemakou
6th	116	Wildemakou
7th	27	Wildemakou

References and further reading

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

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

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

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 33

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 5

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 135

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

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 109

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

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 96

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 94

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

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 56

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 60

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

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

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

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

Gamebirds of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1967 - Page: 72

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 77

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 75

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 71

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 73

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

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

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 39

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

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

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 35

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

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 12

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

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

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: 61

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 167

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 167

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 50

A Coloured Key to the Wildfowl of the World - Author: Peter Scott - Published: 1957 - Page: 70

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List of South African Birds