Eurasian Wigeon

Anas penelope

Common and widespread in the Old World, the Eurasian Wigeon is a sporadic visitor to North America. Regular in very small numbers along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, single individuals have turned up in nearly all states and provinces.

Cool Facts
Photo taken from:
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America by David Allen Sibley
  • Although the Eurasian Wigeon has not yet been found breeding in North America, it is possible that some do. The Eurasian Wigeons seen each year in North America likely come from eastern Siberia and Iceland.

Description

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized duck.
  • Male with dark reddish head and buffy crown.
  • Gray sides.
  • Black rear end bordered by white.
  • Large white patch in wings.

Immature Description

Similar to adult female.
Range Map
 
 Taxonomic Hierarchy

Spotted_Sandpiper_AllAm

© 2002 - 2007 www.whatbird.com
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
     Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
     Subfamily: Anatinae
Genus: Anas
Species: Anas penelope
Sound
High, scratchy, whistling "whe-o." Female quacks.
Identification and Information
See Anatomy of a Bird
Body
  • Length Range: 46-51 cm (18-20 in)
  • Weight: 816 g (28.8 oz)
  • Size: Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color Primary: Brown, Gray, Rufous or Rust
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Gray with fine black barring.
  • Back Pattern: Barred or banded
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
 
Head
  • Bill Shape: Spatulate
  • Eye Color: No data.
  • Head Pattern: Capped, Unique pattern
  • Crown Color: Buff
  • Forehead Color: Buff
  • Nape Color: Red-brown
  • Throat Color: Red-brown
  • Cere color: No Data
Flight
  • Flight Pattern: Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 76-81 cm (30-32 in)
  • Wing Shape: Tapered-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Pointed Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg Color: Gray
Breeding
  • Breeding Location: Lakes, Marshes, Ponds
  • Breeding Type: Monogamous, Semicolonial
  • Breeding Population: Rare to uncommon
  • Egg Color: Creamy white to pale buff
  • Number of Eggs: 7 - 9
  • Incubation Days: 24 - 25
  • Egg Incubator: Female
  • Nest Material: Lined with grasses and down.
  • Migration: Migratory
  • Condition at Hatching: Covered in down and able to leave the nest soon after hatching.

Other Names

Similar Species
  • Wigeon, Widgeon, European Widgeon (English)
  • Canard siffleur (French)
  • American Wigeon

Conservation Status
Rare to uncommon

Habitat

Sources used to Construct this Page:
Shallow freshwater wetlands, including ponds, marshes, and rivers.
  • Bellrose, F. C. 1976. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA.
Food
Aquatic plants; some insects and mollusks during the breeding season.
Behavior
Courtship displays include tail-wagging, head-turning, wing-flapping, and sudden jumps out of the water. Feeds on vegetation at and just below surface. Submerges head and tips tail up to reach plants under surface.

Adult Sexes Similar
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Additional Photos & Video

Adult Sexes Similar
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Videos
 
  
 
 

All photos © 2008 Rick Swartzentrover - Free for non-profit use.

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