How to identify the African Pygmy Goose

To correctly identify the African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

28-33 cm

Wingspan

48-55 cm

Weight

249-286 g (male), 220-290 g (female)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Males are strikingly patterned with a white face, black crown, and a prominent iridescent green patch on the side of the head extending from the eye to the nape. The back is dark iridescent green, and the flanks are chestnut. The breast and belly are white. Females are duller, with a greyish-brown crown and hindneck, a dark eye-stripe, and a white face. Their back is dark brown, and flanks are mottled brown and white. Both sexes have white wing patches visible in flight.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Short, goose-like bill, bright yellow in males with a black tip, duller yellow to brownish in females.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dark grey to blackish.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Its extremely small size, short bill, and the male's distinctive iridescent green head patch and chestnut flanks are key. The white face and dark eye-stripe of the female are also characteristic.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally duller, with less distinct markings and a more mottled appearance.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. Breeding and non-breeding plumages are essentially the same.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males are much more brightly colored with iridescent green on the head and chestnut flanks. Females are duller, with a greyish-brown head and mottled flanks.

Key field marks

• Size and Shape. Look for a very small, compact duck with a short, goose-like bill. It often perches on branches over water.
• Male Plumage. Identify the male by its striking white face, black crown, iridescent green patch on the side of the head, dark green back, and rich chestnut flanks. The bright yellow bill with a black tip is also distinctive.
• Female Plumage. Identify the female by her duller appearance: greyish-brown crown, dark eye-stripe, white face, dark brown back, and mottled brown and white flanks. Her bill is duller yellow/brown.
• Behavior. Observe its feeding behavior (dabbling, up-ending) and its tendency to perch in trees or on floating vegetation. Its swift, direct flight is also a clue.
• Habitat. Look for it in still or slow-moving freshwater bodies with abundant floating and emergent vegetation, especially water lilies.

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