Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)

Egyptian goose with 3 gosling

 Egyptian geese are native to Africa but were bought over to Britain in the 18^th Century for ornamental purposes. Since then they have established a wild population, most of their number are found in north Norfolk but today in London I have seen two pairs both with 3 young on Clapham common south side as I went by on a bus and also on the south bank of the Thames on the west side of Hammersmith bridge, where the photo was taken. They usually mate for life and nest in tree hollows. The sexes are difficult to tell apart and they take turns in incubating eggs. The male is slightly larger and makes different sounds to the female. They are extremely territorial when they come into contact with other Egyptian geese, encounters that may end in aerial battle. Plumage may vary in colour and pattern amongst the species but they all have pale eyes surrounded by a dark patch and a black patch in the centre of their breast in common.