Class: Aves

Order: Anseriformes

Scientific Name: Alopochen aegyptiacus

Range: Africa and eastern Mediterranean area

Habitat: Tropical to sub-tropical marshes, ponds, lakes and river banks

Diet: Wild: Young grasses, wheat, leaves, soft vegetables

Zoo: Waterfowl diet

Gestation: Incubation: 28 to 30 days

Litter: Clutch: 6 to 10 pale buff eggs

Description: Adults are 24 to 28 inches long and weigh about 4½ pounds. The sexes are similar, the head and neck being a pale gray with the sides and crown a mottled brown. A dark yellowish-red band occurs behind the neck. A chestnut ring runs around the lower neck with a similar patch around the eye and a line from the corner of the eye to the base of the bill. The mantle and upper parts are a reddish-orange with fine black vermiculations (ornamental patterns like worm tracks). The lower breast has a patch of deep chestnut resembling an inverted horseshoe. Dusky brown scapulars have fine whitish speckles. The rump and tail are black-brown. The bill is pink with a black tip and the legs are pink. Immatures are duller than adults and lack chestnut on the face, neck, and breast.

Did You Know? The name is misleading, for the distribution of this bird goes far beyond the limits of Egypt. It is also known as the Nile Goose.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the African Plains at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.