Spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) in flight. This is a large waterbird that is native to sub-Saharan Africa. These 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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Size: 3964px × 2642px
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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