Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Pygmy Goose
Nettapus auritus
African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 266 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Nettapus
- Species auritus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 266 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Pygmy Goose feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The African Pygmy Goose is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) is a species of bird in the Anatidae family, part of the order Anseriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF s of the Sahara.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 266 g, with a wing length of about 15 cm and a tail of around 6.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 17.8 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Pygmy Goose?
The African Pygmy Goose is a large bird that weighs around 266 g.
Where does the African Pygmy Goose live?
The African Pygmy Goose is found across Africa with a range covering AF s of the Sahara, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Pygmy Goose belong to?
The African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the African Pygmy Goose eat?
The African Pygmy Goose feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the African Pygmy Goose migrate?
The African Pygmy Goose is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Pygmy Goose endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the African Pygmy Goose make?
1 real field recording of the African Pygmy Goose — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Pygmy Goose's range?
The African Pygmy Goose has a mapped global range of about 17.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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