Egyptian goose Facts for Kids

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) is a type of bird that belongs to the duck, goose, and swan family, called Anatidae. These birds are found in Africa, mainly south of the Sahara desert. They also live along the Nile River Valley.

Quick facts for kids Egyptian goose

Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Alopochen
Species:	aegyptiaca

Native range of A. aegyptiaca
Synonyms
Anas aegyptiaca Linnaeus, 1766

An Egyptian goose

Where Do Egyptian Geese Live?
History with Humans
What Do Egyptian Geese Look Like?
Images for kids
See also

Where Do Egyptian Geese Live?

Egyptian geese are native to Africa. They live in areas south of the Sahara desert. You can also find them along the famous Nile River Valley. These birds like to live near water. They can be found near lakes, rivers, and ponds.

History with Humans

Egyptian geese were very special to people in Ancient Egypt. They believed these birds were sacred (holy). This is why you can see them in many ancient Egyptian artworks. For a long time, people in Africa have raised these geese for food. They were also bred by the ancient Egyptians.

Sometimes, Egyptian geese are kept as ornamental birds. This means they are kept for their beauty. Because of this, some geese have escaped from captivity. These escaped birds have formed small wild groups. These groups are called feral populations. You can now find these feral groups in parts of Western Europe.

What Do Egyptian Geese Look Like?

Egyptian geese have a unique look. They have brown patches around their eyes. Their bodies are mostly light brown or gray. They also have darker brown patches on their wings. When they fly, you can see white patches on their wings. Both male and female geese look similar. Young geese, called goslings, are fluffy and often have different colors.