From these two countries, the species has experienced a relatively fast range expansion into adjacent countries, first spreading into Germany and France (where possibly supplemented by local escapees) in the mid-1980s, and then to the Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland in the early 2000s. The Egyptian goose was first introduced to the Netherlands in 1967 and to Belgium in 1982, and these formed the basis for the population in mainland Europe, likely supplemented by some captive escapees from other European countries. Accordingly, Egyptian geese in Great Britain may be shot without special permission if they cause problems. In the United Kingdom in 2009, it was officially declared a non-native species. During the winter, they are widely dispersed within river valleys, where they feed on short grass and cereals. In Great Britain, it is found mainly in East Anglia, and in various locations along the River Thames, where it breeds at sites with open water, short grass and suitable nesting locations (either islands, holes in old trees or amongst epicormic shoots on old trees). The British introductions were the first outside its native range however, these did not spread widely and are not known to have expanded into other countries. The British populations of the Egptian goose date back to the 17th century when it was introduced to estates and parks, though the species was only formally added to the British bird list in 1971. It also occurred naturally in southeastern Europe (up to the lower Danube Valley and southern Hungary) until the early 1700s, and in parts of Turkey and the western Middle East until the early 1900s (where since re-established through escaped captives), but its historical ranges in these places is incompletely known and the reason for the disappearances is also unknown. While not breeding, it disperses somewhat, sometimes making longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of the Sahel, and occasionally even reaching the North African nations of Algeria and Tunisia, which historically were a more regular part of its range. It is found in open or semi-open habitats, typically near fresh water, ranging from lowlands to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level in the Ethiopian Highlands, being absent mainly from dense forests and deserts. The Egyptian goose is native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley, where it is widespread and common to abundant, though it has become scarce in the northern Nile Valley where now mainly a visitor. The female has a far noisier raucous quack that frequently sounds in aggression and almost incessantly at the slightest disturbance when tending her young. The male Egyptian goose attracts its mate with an elaborate, noisy courtship display that includes honking, neck stretching and feather displays. The voices and vocalisations of the sexes differ, the male having a hoarse, subdued duck-like quack which seldom sounds unless it is aroused, as well as a louder, breathy call which is performed in a rapid sequence, sounding somewhat like a steam engine. In flight or when the wings are fully spread in aggression, the white is conspicuous. When it is aroused, either in alarm or aggression, the white begins to show. A large part of the wings of mature birds is white, but in repose the white is hidden by the wing coverts. There is a fair amount of variation in plumage tone, with some birds greyer and others browner, but this is not sex- or age-related. The sexes of this species are identical in plumage but the males average slightly larger. It swims well and in flight looks heavy, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name. The species name aegyptiacus (or aegyptiaca) is from the Latin Aegyptiacus, "Egyptian". The word χήν : chēn is grammatically of either masculine or feminine gender. The generic name Alopochen (literally, fox-goose) is based on Greek ἀλωπός ( alōpós, also ἀλώπηξ alōpēx), "fox", and χήν ( chēn) "goose", referring to the ruddy colour of its back. mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data suggest that the relationships of Alopochen to Tadorna need further investigation. It is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen, which also contains closely related prehistoric and recently extinct species. The Egyptian goose is believed to be most closely related to the shelducks (genus Tadorna) and their relatives, and is placed with them in the subfamily Tadorninae. Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians, and appeared in much of their artwork. Because of their popularity chiefly as an ornamental bird, the species has also been introduced to Europe, United States and elsewhere outside their natural range. The Egyptian goose ( Alopochen aegyptiaca) is an African member of the duck family Anatidae.
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