Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

This species is native to Africa (where the first ones below were photographed) but has long been established as a feral bird in the UK. For many decades our feral population's stronghold was here in Norfolk but the species seems to be becoming increasingly common in many other parts of the country now. Judging from the number of emails I've received from people in North America, it's pretty common in places over there too (I seem to get an especially large number of emails from Florida).

Egyptian Geese, Vwaza Marsh (Malawi), 4th October 2008

Egyptian Goose, Holkham (Norfolk, UK), 9th March 2016

Egyptian Goose, Sparham Pools (Norfolk, UK), 5th April 2008

Egyptian Geese, Salthouse (Norfolk, UK), 23rd December 2012

Egyptian Geese, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows (Norfolk, UK), 20th January 2020

Egyptian Geese have a very long breeding season - these early goslings are by no means the earliest I've seen (e.g. 10th February).

Egyptian Geese, Swanton Morley (Norfolk, UK), 18th March 2012

Although well grown by the time I saw them, the two goslings shown here must have hatched at the opposite end of the breeding season.

Egyptian Geese, Wroxham Broad (Norfolk, UK), 22nd December 2021

Individuals with abnormally pale heads crop up quite often.

Egyptian Goose, Swanton Morley (Norfolk, UK), 20th September 2008

Egyptian Geese, Swanton Morley (Norfolk, UK), 24th June 2007

Egyptian Geese, Holkham Park (Norfolk, UK), 6th July 2005

Egyptian Geese, Ludham (Norfolk, UK), 22nd December 2021

Egyptian Geese, Sparham Pools (Norfolk, UK), 27th April 2008

Egyptian Goose, Sparham Pools (Norfolk, UK), 30th March 2008

I'm not sure if the Egyptian Geese at St James's Park are wild-living feral birds or part of the collection. This one was leucistic (or some other similar pigment-deficiency).

Egyptian Goose, St James's Park (London, UK), 16th March 2018