Egyptian Goose Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesEgyptian Goose
Uniquely marked, medium-sized waterfowl with a distinctive reddish-brown mask surrounding an orangeish eye. Underparts are light gray, while upperparts are darker grayish brown with a prominent chestnut patch near the black tail.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryOromia, December 30, 2014In flight, note the large white patches contrasting with otherwise black wings.
© David Weber / Macaulay LibraryRift Valley, January 07, 2013A distinctively patterned waterfowl species with grayish-brown underparts, darker brown upperparts, a dark mark on the breast, pink legs, a pink bill, a white wing patch, and a reddish-brown mask around the eye.
© Greg Baker / Macaulay LibraryKwazulu-Natal, January 24, 2020Not all videos have sound
Found in open areas, where it feeds on agricultural crops and other plants.
© Rhys Marsh / Macaulay LibraryCoast, August 24, 2015Both adults and young birds have a pink bill and pink legs, but immatures lack the distinctive eye mask of adults.
© Patrick J. Blake / Macaulay LibraryRift Valley, February 09, 2016Found on large ponds, lakes, reservoirs, marshes, rivers, estuaries, and other bodies of water.
© Doug and Denise Norris / Macaulay LibraryKwazulu-Natal, January 16, 2018Not all videos have sound
Found near water bodies. Often occurs in family groups or flocks outside of the breeding season. Note the dark breast mark—a typical field mark on adults—on the middle individual.
© David Hall / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 05, 2016Often found in pairs. Male is larger and brighter than female.
© Nicholas Talbot / Macaulay LibraryEngland, January 30, 2018Not all videos have sound
Occurs in family groups and flocks outside of the breeding season. Birds forage both on land and in shallow water by pecking and dabbling at food.
© Sahana M / Macaulay LibraryMpumalanga, March 15, 2023Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesSouth African Shelduck
Male
South African Shelduck has a similar wing pattern in flight, but a different head pattern (gray in males and mostly white in females), a dark bill, and rusty sides and flanks.
© Charley Hesse TROPICAL BIRDING / Macaulay LibraryKhomas, August 15, 2017Similar SpeciesMuscovy Duck
Adult male
Muscovy Duck is another odd waterfowl species, and one that might be seen with introduced Egyptian Goose. The two species share a large white wing patch, but Muscovy Duck is very dark overall, with red warts on the face.
© Marco Valentini / Macaulay LibraryMato Grosso, September 23, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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