Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacus
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Distribution Britain 87 (383%) Ireland 0 (0%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 700 adults Ireland 0 European status: 1,750 (22% in Britain and Ireland =2) British population trend: increasing and expanding How likely are you to record it? 3 squares (0.1%) Ranked 171= |
These strangely coloured geese were brought over from Africa to grace ornamental collections over 200 years ago. Up to 40 years ago there was only a small breeding population of feral birds in Norfolk. Now they breed through the county and into Suffolk with nests in recent years in Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Rutland, Surrey, Berkshire, Essex and Greater Manchester. There might be as many as 2,000 adults present in England now. They start to breed early and take over large cavities in trees and deprive other species, like Kestrels and Barn Owls, of their traditional nest sites. Probably unstoppable.
Delany, S. 1993 British Birds: 86, 591-599.
Ogilvie, M.A. & RBBP 1999 British Birds: 92, 176-182 & 472-476.
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead