Spur-winged geese (Plectropterus gambensis) in flight. These are large waterbirds that are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They birds have spurs, or spikey bits, on their wings that can sometimes be poisonous. The toxin, cantharidin, is picked up from blister beetles and is held within the tissue of the bird. As a result, their own flesh becomes deadly to consume. Photographed in Chobe National Park, Botswana.

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Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1, africa, african, animal, animals, biological, biology, bird, birds, botswana, botswanan, chobe, fauna, flight, flying, gambensis, geese, goose, nature, ornithological, ornithology, plectropterus, river, spur-winged, tadorninae, water, waterbird, waterbirds, waterfowl, waterfowls, wildlife, winged, wings, zoological, zoology