I saw the bird pictured below two days ago at Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland. New to me, it must be way out of its normal range. If you know more about why it’s showing up around here, or in North America at all, please leave a comment below. Thanks.
Egyptian goose
(Click image to enlarge.)
| Egyptian goose | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Subfamily: | Tadorninae |
| Genus: | Alopochen |
| Species: | A. aegyptiaca |
| Binomial name | |
| Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) |
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| Native range of A. aegyptiaca | |
The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a member of the duck, goose, and swan familyAnatidae. It is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley.
Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians, and appeared in much of their artwork. They have been raised for food and extensively bred in parts of Africa since they were domesticated by the ancient Egyptians. Because of their popularity chiefly as ornamental bird, escapes are common and small feral populations have become established in Western Europe.[2][3]
Read more at Wikipedia.
Escaped from aviary? On a cultural exchange program? Blown off-course by tropical storm Ana?
I like two out of three. But the first idea drains all the romance from my migration fantasy. Actually, a mutual friend tells me that her friend—who keeps an aviary himself—thinks the great escape concept explains it exactly. Bummer. So much for romance . . .