Rare sighting: Egyptian goose spotted in Nadabet

AHMEDABAD: An Egyptian goose, a migratory bird, was spotted at Nadabet in the Kutch region of Gujarat recently. The bird (Alopochen aegyptiaca) — a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae — was spotted in a scoop of pelicans by Tejal Shah and Kunal Naik, both ornithologists.
“This is probably the first time that an Egyptian goose has been spotted in the country as there is no record to show the bird’s presence in any part of India,” said Uday Vora, a former forest officer and an ornithologist.
Vora said that Shah and Naik were on a regular trip to the area when they spotted an odd bird in a group of pelicans. “Shah took out her binoculars and a closer investigation revealed that the bird was actually an Egyptian goose,” Vora said, adding that other birdwatchers have also confirmed this. The bird is a native of Africa, south of the Sahara, and the Nile Valley. The Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians and portrayed in many of their artworks.
The pale eyes surrounded by a dark patch, pink legs, and overall grey and buffy plumage are the key identifying features of the bird. Usually, these birds are found in pairs or family groups and feed while swimming or grazing along the shore.
The sexes of this species are identical in plumage but the males are slightly larger on an average.
Officials said while not breeding, the bird sometimes make longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of the Sahel.
It spreads to Great Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy. This is a terrestrial species which will also perch readily on trees and buildings. Egyptian geese typically eat seeds, leaves, grasses, and plant stems. Occasionally, they will eat locusts, worms, or other small animals.
Officials said that the Houbara bustard was spotted in the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary for two consecutive months in November and December. The birdwatchers spotted two such birds.
Houbara bustards migrate from their breeding grounds in the Middle East to India during winters. Apart from Houbara, the birdwatchers also spotted the red-breasted goose and the marbled teal in 2021 in Nalsarovar.