Egyptian Goose is a member of the duck, goose and swan family
Anatidae. It is in the Shelduck subfamily Tadorninae and is the
only extant member of the genus Alopochen. Egyptian Geese were
considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians and appeared in much
of their artwork. Although provenance can rarely be proven
escape from captivity remains an issue and the origins of
wanderers like these is vague at best.
There have been three Egyptian Geese reported from S.
Gloucestershire;
2006: (2)
One from Oldbury Power Station in flight upstream landing on the
north shore of the R. Severn at 13:00 having been seen on the
south shore near Thornbury Yacht Club earlier in the day on
March 4th; An adult was photographed at Heneage Court Pools near
Falfield on April 23rd.
