Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Spur-winged Goose
Plectropterus gambensis
Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 3.9 kg. 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 Plectropterus
- Species gambensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 3.9 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spur-winged Goose is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Spur-winged Goose is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 3.9 kg, with a wing length of about 52.3 cm and a tail of around 17.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 15.8 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spur-winged Goose?
The Spur-winged Goose is a very large bird that weighs around 3.9 kg.
Where does the Spur-winged Goose live?
The Spur-winged Goose is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Spur-winged Goose belong to?
The Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Spur-winged Goose eat?
The Spur-winged Goose is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Spur-winged Goose migrate?
The Spur-winged Goose is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Spur-winged 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 Spur-winged Goose make?
1 real field recording of the Spur-winged Goose — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Spur-winged Goose's range?
The Spur-winged Goose has a mapped global range of about 15.8 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.
Explore more birds
More in Anatidae
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Extinct
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Waterbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern