Egyptian Goose Records in Pennsylvania
A couple months ago on the PA Birds email list I asked for reports of Egyptian Goose from across the state. These exotic geese turn up from time to time, with individuals sometimes persisting at a location for lengthy periods of time or even returning in consecutive years. They have bred at least twice in the wild in Pennsylvania. So far, I have 36 reports of Egyptian Goose from 11 counties. High count is 10 at Nockamixon in 2003, where free-flying birds were breeding in 2003 and 2004.
Here's a quick summary of reports:
1994, Crosslands Pond, Chester Co
1997 (5 Mar),Green and Angelica Lake, Berks Co
1999, Angelica Lake, Berks Co
1999, New Brighton, Beaver Co
2000 (Oct), Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co
2000 (Feb),Peace Valley , Bucks Co
2000 (25 Apr ) , Heller Rd, Richaland TWP , Bucks Co
2000 (Jan-Apr ) , Nockamixon SP , Bucks Co
2000, Shippensburg, Cumberland Co
2001 , Saltsburg , Westmoreland Co
2001 (Mar ) , Peace Valley , Bucks Co
2001 (Feb-May 02 ) , Nockamixon SP , Bucks Co
2001 (to Mar 03 ) , Peace Valley , Bucks Co
2002 (Dec ) , Nockamixon SP , Bucks Co
2002 (6 Mar ), Bedminster , Bucks Co
2003 (Apr-Nov ) , Lake Nockamixon , Bucks Co
2003 (14 Nov ) ,Peace Valley , Bucks Co
2003 , Stoyer's Dam , Schuylkill Co
2004 (Jun-Spe ) , Lake Nockamixon , Bucks Co
2004 (21 Mar ) , Doylestown , Bucks Co
2004 (17 Jan ) , Peace Valley , Bucks Co
2004 (3 Apr ) , Nockamixon SP , Bucks Co
2005 (5 May-Spe ) , Lake Nockamixon , Bucks Co
2005 (Winter ) , Belvediere Bridge , Northampton Co
2005 (27 Mar), Oakmont, Allegheny Co
2005 (22 Apr ) , Bender's Pond , Franklin Co
2006 (27 Mar ) , Gotwall's Pond , Berks Co
2006 , Hwy 611 N. of Doylestown , Bucks Co
2006 (winter ) , Belvediere Bridge , Northampton Co
2007 (fall ) , Schuylkill River , Philadelphia Co
2007 (fall ) , Pine Run/ Peace Valley , Bucks Co
2007 (8 Dec), Peace Valley, Bucks Co
2007 (29 Dec-12 Jan 08), Bedminster TWP, Bucks Co
2007 (18 Feb ) , Nockamixon SP , Bucks Co
2007 (Feb) , Peace Valley , Bucks Co
It looks like a small number of these birds are probably always flying around SE Pennsylvania, though without more reports it will be hard to know exactly how many and if they are regularly breeding anywhere. We really need people to keep bettter track of sightings of these birds, so we can get a better handle on how many there are and if they might be breeding regularly. Perhaps we can add them to the eBird filters for Pennsylvania.
Thanks to the following individuals who reported sightings (either to me or to PA birds): Chris Bohinski, Howard Eskin, Bill Etter, Mike Fialkovich, Pol Heiney, Len Hess, D. Husic, Thomas Ford-Hutchinson, Katrina Knight, Dennis Miller, August Mirabella, Ed Richards, Ruth Ann Smith, Adam Sabatine, Bill Stewart.
posted by birdchaser at 11:07 AM
41 Comments:
Another sighting or actually shooting occured in California on January 26, 2008. While hunting in the Sutter Bypass area, just North of Sacramento, CA, my brother shot 2 of them out of the sky. He didn't know what kind of geese they were, but found out later, and is going to have one of them stuffed. A very handsome looking bird. - Dennis Miller - Galt, CA
While goose hunting in Bradford County, PA yesterday I harvest an Egyptian goose. Beautiful bird.
Rob---While hunting yesterday in Bradford Co. Pa I harvested an egytian goose. Beautiful bird, went immediately to the taxedermist. If you would like more info about the encounter, let me know.---Matt Goodson-Wyalusing, PA
This morning was the third time i have seen a pair of the Egyptian Geese here in Melbourne, FL ....i feed the ducks in the morning and these two scared my ducks away. Gorgeous birds but very aggressive toward other birds however they didnt seem to have a problem with the squirrels.
June 1,2008
A pair of Egyptian geese appeared last September(2007)at Ingleside Golf Course in Thorndale, Pa. Thorndale is in Caln Township located in Chester County.
They arrived with a flock of Canada geese who seem to have adopted them. The Canadas protect them from other Canada flocks that try to run them off.
They have stayed here through the winter and have become celebrities with the local people because of their beauty.
They seem to have mated because they have become very aggressive. The male hisses and the female raises quite a squalking sound if any geese come near them.
We are hoping for hatchlings.
Logan White
On May 30, 2008, I took a picture of a bird that was in our backyard on Fairview Lake, Oregon (just east of Portland). I didn't know what kind of bird he was, but he was beautiful. In looking at the internet, he definitely was an Egyptian Goose. He was alone and I have never seen one like him. We have many Canadian geese during the winter and a few year round.
We had a single Egyptian Goose stay at a pond at the Springport Golf Course in Harrisville, MI. The goose returned this spring. He is aggressive toward other ducks such as mallards, otherwise quite docile.
L. Crampton
For about a month a female Egyptian Goose has been coming into my back yard with a flock of Canadian geese with whom she gets along well. Mallards and Wood Ducks also come into the yard but she pays no more attention to them than do the geese. Wonderful to watch the interactions. I live on the shore of Hoover Reservoir in southern Delaware County just north of Columbus,OH. I did not know what she was until I saw one on Animal Cops of South Africa on Animal Planet cable channel. I have photos of her but do not know how to share them on this site.
We live in Margate, Florida on a lake on a golf course. We had seen three adults since December and were unable to identify them. Recently, two of them had about 6 goslings. We haven't seen the third one around. We thought they had just migrated here, but it looks like they are staying!
Two have showed up in our buffalo enclosure in Harris County Bear Creek park. Denise Gay- Houston, TX
Two new arrivals on our golf course in east Texas have gone from the various lakes on the course. They have been here around 3 weeks or so and seem quite aggressive towards the resident swan and the other ducks. They are very pretty but kind of menacing with the brown circles around their eyes and their chasing behaviors.
There is a healthy pair at a golf course in Mays Landing NJ. I prefer not to name the golf course for their protection. They raised a brood of chicks this summer and have successfully driven off other fowl and even deer who venture too close to their nesting area. They are a handsome pair and quite entertaining.
In the backyard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we have many ducks. My favorite one, a real beautiful bird with a broken wing comes close for me to feed it. Someone called it a goose. How silly! I just looked on the internet, and indeed it is an Egyptian Goose. Excactly like the pictures I found. Where the ducks stay together, he stays by himself. He has gotten use to my presence, and come over for food, but backs away quickly when the ducks crowd in.
I live in Tamarac, Fl. There was a pair here last Nov. This year, 2008, however, they brought 6 of their friends. Beautiful birds. They love stale bread which they soften in the pond behind my townhome and eat copius quantities of wild bird seed. They will respond to a whistle -0 Bob Chalmers, Tamarac, Fl
I work in The Woodlands, Texas. I am fortunate to have an office that looks out into a wooded area with a pond. I feed the squirrels and birds on a regular basis right outside my door. I recently went on a two week vacation and my co-workers were very excited to report that a couple of ducks were sited at my door while I was away. I didn't have to wait long to see the new visitors. I had never seen any bird of that kind. I new they were special. They looked like they could have belonged in the dinosaur age. I thought they were ducks because of their size but further investigation proved otherwise. They are not bashful about letting you know they want more food. They make eye contact with you and bang on the glass door to get your attention. Their markings and colors are so perfect that they appear fake. I am so glad I had the opportunity to see these beautiful birds. C. D. E.-Huntsville, TX 11/19/08
We have had a pair of Egyptian Geese on our golf course in Houston for at least ten years. I feed them and visit with them every time I play golf---I think they recognize me and are eager to be fed. Recently one of them died and the other one left has moved in with the many ducks on another of the course's lakes. I feel so bad for her. Her beauty really sticks out in that bunch of half-breed ducks. Wonder if it is possible to purchase a replacement Egyptian for her?? Is that possible?
December 2, 2008
Just thought I would let you know that there is an Egyptian Goose residing on our pond in NW Ohio (Van Wert county). Don't know how or why it's here, but she sure is interesting!
TR
A trio spotted 1-7-2008 in Davie, FL. Two males trying to mate a female.
Pics and video here:
http://flickr.com/photos/jomatt/sets/72157612282844722/
01/22/09 - Melbourne FL zip 32934. Two Egyption Geese have been hanging around my property for the last two days. They have been very aggressive towards the 20 ducks that live at our house. Today the pair walked up to me and ate cracked corn out of the feeder for the other ducks. I have many close up digital pictures. Looks like they might stay awhile.
Hi I just saw 2 egyptian geese Here in PA and took thier picture. I couldnt figure out what they were! It was driving me crazy. But I finally came across a picture and sure enough this is what they were. I live in Douglassville,Pa I saw them 1/21/09 & 1/22/09
There is a pair of Egyptian Geese in Davie, Fl near the JCC. We have seen them several times. Once we saw them with 6 goslings. I have tried to get close to take pictures, but they move.
About 2 weeks ago a pair landed and have stayed at our pond keeping mallards and a swan company. We're in Exeter Township, Berks County.
Texas sighting. We have a pair that have showed up each year since 2004 at our ranch. Always wondered what they were. This year they were spotted on our pond with 6 babies. We are feeding and taking pictures as of 3/7/09.
I just saw 3 brightly colored Egyptian Geese and 1 white one on the grounds of the Lawrenceville School, NJ. Went back to see them again tonite but they were gone. Absolutely stunning looking birds!
Sorry, Lawrenceville, NJ sighting was on 3/8/2009
3/9/09 I live in Dana Point, CA about 1/2 mile from Doheny State Beach. I walk over there most mornings -- a couple of weeks ago I saw three birds I had never seen before. I watched them for awhile, they were very docile, just eating grass and ignoring me. I asked the Rangers if they knew what kind of birds they were, and finally one came up with Egyptian Geese. On my walk this morning I saw two of them grazing on the grass in the park across from the beach. They are beautiful birds and I really enjoy watching them. When I got home I Googled Egyptian Geese and sure enough, the photo was dead-on! In reading the other postings, I see there are babies hatching in Texas -- I hope they do the same here! Maggie Pichette, Dana Point, California
I live in Durham, North Carolina. This morning, 3/28/09, we photographed a single Egyptian goose on the pond behind our house, a fairly urban environment where we normally only have mallards and Canada Geese. We also got to hear th goose make a very distinctive sound, generally in response to dogs. I hope it stays with us, it is strikingly marked and a beautiful bird!
I have been watching and photographing a lone Egyptian goose all day today at a patch of vacant land near a shopping center in SW Durham,NC. I wonder if it is the same one Anita saw.The goose has flown away and returned to the same spot a number of times today.
We have a pair of Egyptian Geese that hangs around our yard in Lake Granbury, Texas! They are very tame and allow photos within twenty feet. 5/13/09
Four Egyptian geese came to the Neckar River in Heidelberg, Germany (where I live) last fall (around November 2008). They live separately from the Canadian geese population and stay about 200 meters downstream from them. The four never walk or hang out together, only the two pairs being together separately. I believe they nest at least 50 meters or so away from eachother. I read that the females and males do not differ in their plumage, which is also true for these two pairs. Both sets of parents have new goslings about two weeks ago. One pair has five, and the other only has two now. I am curious to how many of these birds are in Germany. Does anyone have an idea?
Two Egyptian geese spotted today near my yard on Lake LBJ, Tx. I got pretty close to them and took a picture as I had never see any bird with the pink legs. So glad to have the internet to verify the beautiful birds. 5/27/09
On the 10 May I saw a pair around the retention pond at Walnut Creek Housing sub-division on Taft in Pembroke Pines.it was so amazing that I took pictures.It is the first time I have seen these birds.They still visit from time to time.I thought they were lost.
I saw an Egyption Goose amongst Canadian Geese in Apponaug Cove in Rhode Island on Sunday May 31st, 2009. Being from Africa I am very familiar with these birds and was very suprised to see one so far from its native habitat.
I SAY AN EGYPTIAN GOOSE ON JESTER PARK GOLF COURSE IN GRAINGER IOWA. IS IT RARE TO SEE THEM IN IOWA? I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BIRD AND I AM A BIRDLOVER AND EDUCATED BIRDWATCHER THANKS
We saw an Egyptian goose in Dane Co. WI and took pictures to identify it as it was very unusual. I hope we see it again. It was standing in the shallows along the Yahara River.
There is a semi-domesticated flock of egytian geese living on Key Biscayne in Crandon Park in the area where the old zoo used to be.It's called Crandon Gardens now. The birds can be seen flying all over the park, but remain at the park as there is a lady who feeds them and all the other birds that live there,including sandhill cranes, domestic geese and swans, plus chickens and turkeys and a lot of peacocks. It's a very nice quiet place to visit, but watch out for the resident crocodile.
Curt Reik Loxahatchee,Fl
July 2009. We were vacationing at Canyon Lake in Texas. We were staying at an Inn on the CL Golf Course. A flock of 8-12 Egyptian geese showed up every morning looking for corn that we fed to the deer. I believe there were actually two different flocks of birds that visited.
I was at The Villages, Fl, taking pictures of ducks, ibis and a blue heron that usually hang out at a lake, when I saw 2 beautiful birds. I had never seen them before. I didn't know it at the time, but after doing my research, I found out that they are Egyptian Geese.
I will be posting pictures soon
I am also in Melbourne, Florida and I have a pair of these geese in my back yard at the canal. They have chased off most of the Muskovy ducks I feed and have tried to kill their babies. They are fascinating birds and I feel privileged to have them visiting me. They are mean though and have tried to attack my husband when he tried to stop them from attacking the baby ducks.
I think I have seen two today on a pond in rural Middle Tennessee. Red around eyes, pink legs and feet, white on belly, and brown patch down back. Are they in molt stage?
I live in a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and we have a pair of Egyptian Geese in the pond behind our house. We had no idea what they were as they are not listed in our Field Guide of Eastern US birds from the Nat'l Audobon Society. I emailed a very bird savvy friend the pictures I took and he informed me that they were Egyptian Geese. Wow! Long flight from Africa! We are enjoying them...they are beautiful!
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