dorsal view; glossy green-black upperparts (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Spur-winged Goose
Plectropterus gambensis

Native Range: Africa

Notes: a large black-and-white goose that grazes on grass and other vegetable material, often at night; widespread and common across Africa, where it can be seen in wetlands, fileds, and grasslands; different races have different amounts of whit on the face; this species gets its name from a sharp spur that protrudes from the forewing, sometimes visible in flight.


in flight, showing white belly, underwing area (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
red bill; white on face; note the wing spur (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

pink legs, bill; white belly; black breast and flanks (Zoo; 2008-10-21)
note the white face patch and yellow tip of red bill (Zoo; 2008-10-21)

showing white patch on wing (Zoo; 2012-10-23)
head portrait (Zoo; 2012-10-23)