
Spur-winged Goose
The spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is a large bird in the family Anatidae, related to the geese and the shelducks, but distinct from both of these in a number of anatomical features, and therefore treated in its own subfamily, the Plectropterinae.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 2,923 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Spur-winged Goose is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,923 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Spur-winged Goose
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 680 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 180 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,780 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,500 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,580 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 960 a night
Spur-winged Goose recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 2,310 a night
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek vineyards, an hour up the N1
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Spur-winged Goose
Hosts have recorded the Spur-winged Goose at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and De Hoop Nature Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Plectropterus gambensis
Records
2,923
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Spur-winged Goose on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Spur-winged Goose in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Spur-winged Goose at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve and De Mond Nature Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Spur-winged Goose in South Africa?
The Spur-winged Goose is most recorded in Western Cape (46% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (29% of records), Gauteng (6% of records), based on 2,923 iNaturalist observations. 32 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Spur-winged Goose on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Spur-winged Goose?
The Spur-winged Goose is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Spur-winged Goose?
The spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) is a large bird in the family Anatidae, related to the geese and the shelducks, but distinct from both of these in a number of anatomical features, and therefore treated in its own subfamily, the Plectropterinae. It occurs in wetlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa.


























