Although superficially similar to Magpie Goose, research
suggests that this common Africa species is possibly related to Shelducks, but placed in its own monotypic family.
Found over most of sub-Saharan Africa except arid areas, there is a certain amount of dispersal, if not true migration.
Two subspecies occur, niger is associated with southern populations, but these photos, taken in Ethiopia,
seem to be niger, as the white is very much reduced, particularly on the face and chest. The centre bird
is an immature, not having developed the ugly protuberances on the bill.
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HOMEPAGE
