Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
The Egyptian Goose is an African anatidae introduced in many parts of Europe as an ornamental bird in parks and gardens.
In Portugal the observations of the species in the wild are becoming more frequent and, although the origin of these animals is not known, they may be the result of breeding episodes of animals introduced in parks and gardens of the country that have since dispersed.
The scientific name of the species has this meaning: Alopochen results from the contraction of the terms greek words alopos, meaning fox, and khen, meaning goose, alluding to brown plumage, similar to the red fox; aegyptiaca is the Latin term for Egyptian.
Text: João E. Rabaça