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Spur-winged Goose
Plectropterus gambensisA powerful, broad-winged bird with a unique wing spur – and a potentially poisonous diet.
The Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is the largest of the African duck family [citation:1][citation:13]. Despite its size and ground-nesting habits, which led to it being called a goose, it is actually a perching duck [citation:4]. It is mainly black with a white face and large white wing patches [citation:13]. This species is found in wetlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa [citation:13].
Spur-winged Goose Quick Facts
What Is the Spur-winged Goose?
The Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is a large bird in the family Anatidae, related to the geese and the shelducks, but distinct from both in a number of anatomical features, and therefore treated in its own subfamily, the Plectropterinae [citation:13]. It is the largest member of the African duck family [citation:1].
Despite its large size and ground-nesting habits which led to its being called a goose, it is actually a perching duck [citation:4]. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1766 as Anas gambensis [citation:13]. It occurs in wetlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa [citation:13].
The genus name, Plectropterus, is from the Greek plektron, 'a cock's spur', and pteron, 'feathers, or can mean wings'. The species name, gambensis, refers to the country Gambia, although this bird is not restricted to that country [citation:4].
How to Identify a Spur-winged Goose
The Spur-winged Goose is a large, powerful, broad-winged bird, and is unmistakable in the field:
- Plumage: Mainly black, with a white face and large white wing patches [citation:13].
- Upperparts: Iridescent bronze-green upper parts [citation:4].
- Legs: Long pinkish red legs [citation:13].
- Face: Gray-blue bare face [citation:4].
- Wing spur: An odd spur on the forepart of the wing, from which the species gets its name [citation:4].
- Subspecies variation: The nominate race P. g. gambensis has extensive white on the belly and flanks, but P. g. niger (which occurs south of the Zambezi River) has only a small white belly patch. From a distance, P. g. niger can appear to be all black [citation:13].
Sex Differences
The male differs from the female, not only in size, but also in having a larger red facial patch extending back from the red bill, and a knob at the base of the upper mandible [citation:13].
Behavior & Social Life
Spur-winged geese are non-migratory birds that gather in large flocks [citation:4]. They undertake large localised movements following the regional rainfall patterns, as they prefer to feed in open flooded grasslands [citation:1].
Daily Activity
- Roosting: They often roost and occasionally nest in trees [citation:4].
- Flight: They fly heavily, with wings flapping slowly and noisily [citation:4].
- Feeding: Feeding takes place mostly in the evening or early morning, but on moonlit nights may continue to morning. Birds usually do not roost in feeding areas, and fly daily from one area to another [citation:4].
- Vocalization: They have a very distinctive wheezy whistling call when they are in flight [citation:1]. Typically, only males make a call, consisting of a soft bubbling "cherwit" when taking wing or alarmed [citation:13].
Habitat & Distribution
The habitat of the spur-winged goose includes swamps, lakes, flooded meadows, and grassy plains [citation:4]. It is found in seasonal and permanent wetlands near grasslands or arable land. When moulting, it prefers areas with open shorelines, islands and sandbars, generally avoiding saline lakes and upland areas [citation:10].
Distribution: The range of the spur-winged goose is Africa south of the Sahara [citation:4]. It is found across a wide range of African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa [citation:10].
Extent of Occurrence: The species has an extremely large range, with an Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) of 22,900,000 km² [citation:9].
Subspecies
- P. g. gambensis: Gambia to Ethiopia, south to Angola and Zambezi River [citation:10].
- P. g. niger: Southern Africa, from Namibia and Zimbabwe to Cape Province [citation:10].
Spur-winged Goose in Tanzania
The Spur-winged Goose is a common and widespread waterfowl species found in wetlands across Tanzania. Here are the best locations to see it:
Katavi National Park
Confirmed sightings of Spur-winged Geese in Katavi, where they are found in open flooded grasslands [citation:1][citation:2][citation:3].
Katavi safariNgorongoro Crater
Photographic records confirm the species at the Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania [citation:11].
Ngorongoro safariLake Rukwa
Lake Rukwa is an Important Bird Area (IBA/KBA) identified for this species in Tanzania [citation:5].
Explore DestinationsLake Manyara National Park
Listed in the CITES photo collection with records from this park, confirming its presence [citation:6].
Lake Manyara safariSafari Methods
- Game drives along rivers and lakeshores.
- Birdwatching – they are active and noisy, especially when in flight.
- Boat safaris where available, to view waterfowl from the water.
- Wildlife photography – their distinctive plumage and wing spur make great subjects.
Best Time to See Them
Spur-winged Geese are present year-round in suitable habitat. They undertake large localised movements following rainfall patterns, so they are often concentrated in flooded grasslands during the wet season [citation:1].
Diet & Feeding
The Spur-winged Goose is a herbivore, feeding mainly on young shoots and grasses, seeds, fruit, and crops [citation:4]. It feeds on plant matter such as seeds of grasses, sedges and aquatic plants, agricultural grain, fruit and tuberous crops. Occasionally, it may also eat small fish or insects [citation:10].
Notable Diet Feature
This bird is often poisonous due to its diet of blister beetles. The poison, cantharidin, is held within the tissue of the fowl resulting in poisoning of those that eat the cooked goose. It is important to note that 10 mg of cantharidin can kill a human [citation:13].
Because the geese enjoy planted vegetable matter, they can cause considerable damage to crops [citation:4].
Breeding & Life Cycle
The breeding season of the Spur-winged Goose varies in different parts of its range. In Zambia it is from February to July, in Zimbabwe from January to May, and in South Africa from September to April [citation:4].
Nesting
- Nest sites: The nest is usually on the ground among thick grasses, or in reedbeds, but has also been found in rocks in mountainous country, in holes in termite mounds, and in holes in trees [citation:4].
- Nest type: It is a large structure of reeds, grasses and roots, lined with down [citation:4].
- Eggs: Clutch size is 7 to 12 eggs [citation:4].
Incubation & Chicks
- Incubation: Only the females incubate the eggs [citation:4]. Incubation requires from 30 to 32 days to complete [citation:8].
- Chicks: Like many waterfowl, the young are led to water soon after hatching [citation:4].
Conservation Status
The Spur-winged Goose is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List [citation:9][citation:14].
The species has an extremely large range, with an Extent of Occurrence of 22,900,000 km². The population trend appears to be increasing, and the estimated global population is 300,000-500,000 individuals [citation:9][citation:10].
Despite its secure status, it faces some threats:
- Uncontrolled hunting: Declines in Botswana have been attributed to hunting outside of protected areas [citation:5].
- Trade: The species is hunted and traded at traditional medicine markets in Nigeria [citation:5].
The species is also listed under CITES Appendix III in Ghana [citation:6].
Comparisons
The Spur-winged Goose is sometimes confused with other waterfowl. Here are the key differences:
| Feature | Spur-winged Goose | Egyptian Goose |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 75-115 cm [citation:13] | 63-73 cm |
| Legs | Pinkish red [citation:13] | Pink |
| Plumage | Mainly black, white face, white wing patches [citation:13] | Pale reddish-brown |
| Distinguishing Feature | Wing spur on forepart of wing [citation:4] | Dark patches around eyes |
| Habitat | Swamps, lakes, flooded meadows [citation:4] | Freshwater wetlands |
| Poisonous | Yes, due to blister beetle diet [citation:13] | No |
Did You Know?
Wing Spur
It gets its name from the odd spur on the forepart of the wing [citation:4].
Poisonous Goose
This bird is often poisonous due to its diet of blister beetles, with cantharidin held within its tissue [citation:13].
Largest African Duck
It is the largest member of the African duck family [citation:1].
Perching Duck
Despite its name, it is actually a perching duck that often roosts and sometimes nests in trees [citation:4].
Notable Range
Its Extent of Occurrence is an enormous 22,900,000 km² across sub-Saharan Africa [citation:9].
Movement Patterns
They undertake large localised movements following regional rainfall patterns, preferring open flooded grasslands [citation:1].
There is a distinctive, powerful presence in the Spur-winged Goose. Its heavy, noisy flight and wheezy whistling calls are a familiar part of Africa's wetlands, and its unique wing spur marks it as one of the most anatomically fascinating members of the duck family. Watching a flock rise from a flooded plain is to witness one of the great wildlife spectacles of the African savanna.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
The Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is the largest member of the African duck family, related to the geese and shelducks. Adults are 75–115 cm long and weigh on average 4–6.8 kg, with males noticeably larger than females. It is mainly black with a white face and large white wing patches. The long legs are pinkish red in colour [citation:13].
The Spur-winged Goose is found in wetlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, key locations include Katavi National Park [citation:1][citation:2][citation:3], Ngorongoro Crater [citation:11], Lake Manyara National Park [citation:6], and Lake Rukwa, which is an Important Bird Area for this species [citation:5].
It is predominantly herbivorous, feeding on young shoots and grasses, seeds, fruit, and crops [citation:4]. It also eats agricultural grain and occasionally small fish or insects [citation:10]. Notably, it is often poisonous due to its diet of blister beetles [citation:13].
No. The Spur-winged Goose is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The estimated global population is 300,000–500,000 individuals (2010) [citation:10]. However, it is threatened by uncontrolled hunting in some areas [citation:5], and is listed under CITES Appendix III in Ghana [citation:6].
The species gets its name from the odd spur on the forepart of the wing. The genus name, Plectropterus, comes from the Greek plektron meaning 'a cock's spur' and pteron meaning 'feathers or wings' [citation:4].
The nest is usually on the ground among thick grasses or in reedbeds, but has also been found in rocks, holes in termite mounds, and holes in trees. It is a large structure of reeds, grasses and roots, lined with down. Only the females incubate the eggs. The clutch is 7 to 12 eggs [citation:4].
Yes. This bird is often poisonous due to its diet of blister beetles. The poison, cantharidin, is held within the tissue of the fowl resulting in poisoning of those that eat the cooked goose [citation:13].
P. g. gambensis has extensive white on the belly and flanks, while P. g. niger (which occurs south of the Zambezi River) has only a small white belly patch. From a distance, P. g. niger can appear to be all black [citation:13].
References & Further Reading
- BirdLife DataZone – Spur-winged Goose species factsheet: IUCN Least Concern, Extent of Occurrence, population trend [citation:5][citation:9].
- Wikipedia – Spur-winged goose: Description, size, subspecies, plumage, vocalization, poisonous diet [citation:13].
- Cleveland Metroparks Resource Library – Spur-Winged Goose: Description, habitat, breeding, diet, conservation status [citation:4].
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Spur-winged Goose reproductive biology: Nesting, clutch size, incubation period [citation:8].
- Birdpedia – Spur-winged Goose: Size, distribution, population estimate, subspecies [citation:10].
- CITES – Spur-winged Goose: CITES Appendix III listing, photo from Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania [citation:6].
- Alamy – Spur-winged Goose photos from Katavi National Park, Tanzania: Feeding behavior, vocalization [citation:1][citation:3].
- Oiseaux.net – Spur-winged Goose photo from Katavi National Park, Tanzania: Confirmed presence [citation:2].
- Oiseaux.net – Spur-winged Goose photo from Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: Confirmed presence [citation:11].
- East Africa Safaris Tours – Ruaha National Park Bird Checklist: Spur-winged Goose listed [citation:7][citation:12].
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) – Spur-winged Goose: IUCN Least Concern assessment [citation:14].
