The Mauritius sheldgoose, also known as the Mauritius shelduck, is an extinct species of sheldgoose that was endemic to the island of Mauritius. While geese were mentioned by visitors to Mauritius in the 17th century, few details were provided by these accounts. In 1893, a carpometacarpus wing-bone and a pelvis from the Mare aux Songes swamp were used to name a new species of comb duck, Sarcidiornis mauritianus. These bones were connected to the contemporary accounts of geese and later determined to belong to a species related to the Egyptian goose and placed in the sheldgoose genus Alopochen. The Mauritius and Réunion sheldgoose may have descended from Egyptian geese that colonised the Mascarene Islands.
Region
Mascarene Islands
Typical Environment
Endemic to Mauritius, where it likely occupied lowland freshwater wetlands, marshes, and adjacent open grasslands. Subfossil material from Mare aux Songes indicates use of swampy habitats and nearby foraging grounds. It probably frequented pond margins, slow rivers, and seasonal wetlands, moving locally as water levels changed. Coastal plains with open grazing areas would have provided key feeding sites. Human-driven habitat change and hunting pressure rapidly reduced its range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Mauritius sheldgoose (or shelduck) was an island endemic that went extinct after human settlement in the 17th century. It is known from subfossil bones and sparse historical accounts, and was closely related to the Egyptian goose. Like many Mascarene waterfowl, it likely became more terrestrial and was vulnerable to hunting and wetland alteration. Its discovery history involved initial misassignment to comb ducks before being placed in the sheldgoose genus Alopochen.
The related Egyptian goose
Illustration of a Dutch farm on Mauritius from 1670, which may include the only contemporary depiction of a Mauritius sheldgoose (between the streams, lower middle right)
Life restoration of Mauritius sheldgeese (left) and Mascarene teals (lower right) by Julian P. Hume
Temperament
unknown
Flight Pattern
unknown
Social Behavior
Direct observations are lacking; by analogy with close relatives, it likely foraged in pairs or small groups and nested on the ground near water. Breeding biology and nest structure were not recorded. It probably showed strong site fidelity to productive wetland patches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
No contemporary vocal descriptions were recorded. It likely produced honks, cackles, and hisses similar to other sheldgeese.
