Spur-winged goose
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) can be found with comb ducks and at times shelducks. They prefer inland wetland habitats particularly in grassland and large bodies of water such as dams and dense swamps, farm dams, sewage works. They are usually found in pairs or small groups. They fly in flocks in staggered lines and at times in a 'V' formation. They sometimes roost on dead trees and electricity pylons.
Distribution: Common in east Caprivi and on pans in north-east Namibia such as Etosha National Park Pan. Rife in Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.
Diet: Plant matter such as the leaves of pondweed and grasses. Seedlings of grains crops include maize, wheat, oats, barley and sorghum, potato and sunflower seeds are favoured.
Description: A large goose-like duck mainly white in colour. Plectropterus is the Greek word for striker or spur, and wing, referring to the carpal (wing bone) spur.
Breeding: Spur-winged geese mate on water. A nest is built from grass, reed stems, wood chips and other available materials, in a shallow scrape on the ground. Between 7 and 14 eggs are laid and the incubation period is around 30 to 31 days.
Size: 98cm. Weight: 3.5kg.
Welwitschia Self Drive
3 Days - Get away to Swakopmund on the coast - includes sandboarding on the Namib Dunes as well as a dolphin cruise
Acacia Self Drive
8 Days - Combines a visit to Etosha National Park, with some time at Swakopmund and then the dunes at Sossusvlei
Marula Self Dive
9 Days - Southern Namibia: Fish River, Luderitz, Sossusvlei with some self catering accommodation.
Camelthorn Self Drive
10 Days - The classic northern and central Namibia trip. Includes Waterberg Plateau, Etosha National Park, rock art in Damaraland, Cape Cross & Swakopmund and ends with two night near the dunes at Sossusvlei.
Jackalberry Self Drive
10 Days - A combination of Namibia & Botswana. Highlights include game viewing in the Etosha Park & a trip in a traditional dug out canoe in the Okavango Delta Panhandle.
Quiver tree Self Drive
14 Days - Two weeks worth of travel allow you to visit everything that is included in the Camelthorn Self Drive but add the vast expanses of southern Namibia to your itinerary, Additional stops include Luderitz, the Fish River Canyon and a night in the Kalahari Desert
Makalani Self Drive
20 Days - This includes Waterberg, Etosha, a visit to the densely populated Owamboland region on the Angolan border, Kaokoland and the nomadic Himba People, rock art and desert elephants in Damaraland, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Luderitz, the Fish River and Kalahari.
