Spur-winged Goose

Afrikaans name: Wildemakou

Spur-winged Goose

Photo © Steven Herbert

Plectropterus gambensis

The Spur-winged Goose is a widespread and common species. It is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa.

This large bird can weigh over 6 kg with a wingspan of nearly 2 metres.

Virtually any water habitat is home to the Spur-winged Goose.

Most often Spur-winged Geese are seen in small to medium-sized flocks. They eat a variety of vegetable matter.

The Spur-winged Goose breeds in a variety of places including dense vegetation and hollows in trees and rocks.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 50

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 167

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 167

Acoloured Key to the Wildfowl of the World - Author: Peter Scott - Year Published: 1957 - Page: 70

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 61

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 30

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 12

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 35

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 39

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 11

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 46

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 40

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 64

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 88

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 88

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 33

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 56

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 60

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 94

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 96

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 72

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 76

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 109

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1979 - Page: 5

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 46

List of South African Birds