Scientific name: Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766)
Bird group: Geese
Field characters. 63-73 cm. Larger than Ruddy Shelduck, with longer legs and heavier, pink bill. Upperparts grey-brownish to brownish-red, underparts buffish-grey with chestnut patch on belly. Head pale grey with chestnut mask. Rump, tail and primaries black; in flight, shows conspicuous white forewing (like Shelduck).
Voice. Noisy, with loud quacking or whooping calls; hisses when annoyed.
Distribution. Originates from tropical Africa (in W Palearctic breeding in S Egypt); introduced in England (18th century) and The Netherlands (around 1975). Feral populations locally common.
Habitat. Introduced birds occupy parklands, meadows, or pastures in the vicinity of water, like rivers, ponds and lakes; usually not near sea. Nests in holes in trees or in the ground.
Food. Chiefly plant matter like grass, leaves or crops, obtaining by grazing in pairs or small flocks.
Eggs. Unmarked, ground colour creamy white; both ends rounded. Size 69 x 50 mm (62-74 x 47-54), weight 97 g (79-110) for eggs laid in captivity.