Spur-winged Goose Bird Facts (Plectropterus gambensis)

The Spur-winged Goose is a large, striking waterfowl with predominantly black plumage contrasted by white wing patches and belly. Its head and neck display iridescent green and purple hues, while a prominent red facial knob and pinkish legs add to its distinctive appearance.

Males are larger than females, with more extensive iridescence, a larger red facial patch and a larger facial knob. Females have a browner overall colouration and a smaller knob. Juveniles resemble females but lack the facial knob.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Spur-winged Goose can be found in Savanna habitats.

Spur-winged Geese inhabit a wide range of wetland habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, including marshes, lakes, rivers, and flooded grasslands. They are also found in savannah and open woodland areas, particularly when these are near water bodies.

During the dry season, they may congregate in large numbers around permanent water sources. Some populations undertake local migrations in response to seasonal rainfall patterns and water availability.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Spur-winged Goose. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

South Sudan Zambia

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Morocco

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Whilst capable of powerful flight when needed, the Spur-winged Goose shows a preference for running or swimming when threatened. Their ability to navigate both water and land effectively, combined with their considerable size, suggests moderate agility for a large waterfowl.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

One of Africa's largest waterfowl species, weighing up to 6.8kg with a wingspan of up to 2 metres. Their powerful build, equipped with wing spurs for defence, and ability to dig for roots and tubers demonstrates considerable strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable species thriving across various habitats from wetlands to savannahs, up to 3,000 metres elevation. Their diverse diet and ability to adjust to seasonal changes through local migration shows strong environmental adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

The presence of wing spurs used in territorial disputes and defence indicates significant aggressive capability. Their size and defensive adaptations make them formidable when threatened, though they typically prefer avoidance over confrontation.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Demonstrates good endurance through their partial migration patterns and ability to travel considerable distances between feeding and breeding grounds. Their capacity to forage extensively and defend territories suggests solid stamina, though they're not known for prolonged flight activity.

Spur-winged Geese are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, aquatic plants, and crops. They also consume small invertebrates and occasionally fish.

Their strong bill allows them to dig for roots and tubers, while their long neck enables foraging in shallow water.

Spur-winged Geese are often seen grazing in open grasslands, using their strong legs and feet to forage. They are generally gregarious, forming large flocks outside the breeding season.

When threatened, they prefer to run or swim rather than fly but are capable of powerful, direct flight when necessary.

Spur-winged Geese are generally quiet but produce a variety of vocalisations. Their most common call is a loud, nasal honking, often described as a 'honk-honk' or 'hank-hank'.

During courtship or when alarmed, they may emit softer whistles or grunts.

Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season, though the timing varies across their range. Pairs are monogamous and often return to the same nesting sites year after year.

Nests are usually constructed on the ground near water, hidden in dense vegetation. The female lays 6-14 cream-coloured eggs in a shallow depression lined with grass and down.

Incubation lasts about 30-32 days and is primarily undertaken by the female. The male remains nearby, guarding the nest. Goslings are precocial and can leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching, staying with their parents for several months.

The Spur-winged Goose typically lives for 8 to 10 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 11.3 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern, Spur-winged Geese face localised threats from habitat loss and hunting.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and regulating hunting practices to ensure sustainable populations across their range.

Look for large, dark waterfowl with white wing patches in wetlands and grasslands
Listen for their distinctive honking calls, especially in flight
Observe their behaviour on land, where they spend much time grazing
Watch for their reluctance to fly when approached, often preferring to run or swim

Adult Spur-winged Geese have few natural predators due to their size, but eggs and goslings are vulnerable to various predators including monitor lizards, large birds of prey, and crocodiles.

Spur-winged Geese have a sharp spur on their wings, used for defence and during territorial disputes.
They are one of the largest wild waterfowl species in Africa.
Despite their name, they are more closely related to shelducks than true geese.

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