Why are there Egyptian Geese in Los Angeles?
I have seen Egyptian geese a few times on golf courses in the Los Angeles area. The The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley. So, how did they get here? Apparently, they are likely escapees.
According to the National Audubon Society:
Native to Africa, this odd goose is popular in zoos and aviaries. Escaped birds have established wild populations in Florida, Texas, and California, and free-flying escapees are sometimes seen elsewhere.
Although the number of Egyptian geese in California remains low, the population is growing. According to the California Bird Records Committee 2022 Watch List:
This species is a breeding resident on the coastal slope of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, where the population probably numbers about 500 individuals. Breeding was noted in Orange County as early as 1980, but overall numbers remained low through the early 2000s. Since that time, the population has been steadily increasing in size, and appears to be expanding slowly eastward into western Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Scattered sightings in northern California likely pertain to escapees from local waterfowl collections.
Interestingly, although it is called a goose, the Egyptian Goose is a species belonging to the shelduck family rather than a goose. Shelducks are a group of large, often semi-terrestrial waterfowl, which can be seen as intermediate between geese and ducks.