Portrait of a young Nile goose | birdphotography | wildlife by Laura Dijkslag

About "Portrait of a young Nile goose | birdphotography | wildlife"

by Laura Dijkslag

About the artwork

How cute is the arrogant attitude of this Nile goose chick, and he looked at me like 'what do you want'? And that's where this picture came out, a picture that makes me smile all the time.

For another shoot I had to be at this location, there were an awful lot of geese, ducks and other waterbirds. This little one caught my eye the most and I couldn't resist photographing it.

The Nile Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a striking water bird originally from Africa, especially along the Nile and in sub-Saharan Africa, but now also common in Europe, including the Netherlands and Belgium. They have a distinctive appearance with light brown plumage, dark spots around the eyes, and a chestnut-brown band around the breast. Nile geese are medium-sized and usually weigh between 1.5 and 2.3 kg. They are territorial and can be aggressive, especially during the breeding season, and often live near freshwater lakes, rivers and urban parks.

Nile goslings are nestlings, meaning they leave the nest shortly after hatching and start foraging independently. However, they are accompanied and protected by their parents, who guide them to suitable food sources and protect them from potential dangers. The diet of Nile geese is diverse, consisting of grasses, seeds, insects and small fish. Although they adapt well to new environments, they can have a negative impact on native species due to their aggressive behaviour and competition for nest sites and food.