Scientific Name: Alopochen aegyptiaca

Found In: Sub-Saharan Africa countries as well as Northern African countries including Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, and Zimbabwe

Size: Grows up to 2.1 – 2.4 inches in length and weighs 2.4 – 8.8 pounds.

Diet: Predominantly of vegetable matter such as the seeds, leaves and stems of grasses and other plants, crop shoots(e.g. maize and wheat), potato tubers, algae and aquatic weeds  as well as animal matter (worms, locusts and termites)

Threat Level: Least Concern – The species is persecuted by shooting and poisoning in parts of its range as well as being hunted for sport.

Facts: This species is largely sedentary over much of its range, although it may make seasonal nomadic or dispersive movements related to water availability.

Virginia Zoo Geese: male Vincent, female Stella