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American Wigeon

Anas americanaOrder: ANSERIFORMESFamily: Geese and Ducks (Anatidae)

American Wigeon Portrait
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General

American Wigeon: Medium-sized dabbling duck with pale blue bill and white shoulder patches that are visible in flight. Male is brown with white crown, large green ear patch extending to back of head, buff washed breast and sides, and white belly. Female and juvenile are mottled brown with gray heads, brown breasts, and white bellies. Eclipse male resembles female but has small green ear patch.

Range and Habitat

American Wigeon: Breeds from Alaska, northern Manitoba and southern Quebec south to Nevada, the Dakotas, and the Great Lakes region, rarely farther east. Spends winters mainly along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts. Marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes are preferred habitats.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"whew, whew, whew"

Interesting Facts

  • The American Wigeon was formerly known as "Baldpate" because the white stripe on their crown resembles a bald man's head.
  • Their short bill enables them to exert more force at the bill tip than other dabbling ducks, thus permitting efficient dislodging and plucking of vegetation.
  • Their diet has a higher proportion of plant matter than the diet of any other dabbling duck.
  • A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.


Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for American Wigeon
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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family
Species Anas americana
Length18 - 23 Inches
Wingspan32.5 Inches

American Wigeon

American Wigeon: Medium dabbling duck, brown body with white crown, large green ear patch extending to back of head, buff washed breast and sides, and white belly. White shoulder patches visible in flight. Black-tipped pale blue bill. Swift direct flight, strong wing beats. Flies in tight flocks.

● Song: "whew, whew, whew"

● Foraging & Feeding: American Wigeon: Opportunistic and aggressive feeder, often foraging in open water by stealing materials brought to the surface by diving ducks and coots. Feeds primarily on leafy aquatic plants, grass, and agricultural crops; also takes insects and other aquatic invertebrates.

● Breeding & nesting: American Wigeon: Six to twelve creamy white eggs are laid in a down-lined nest made of grass, often several hundred yards from water. Incubation ranges from 22 to 25 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: American Wigeon: Eurasian Wigeon has rufous head, buff forehead and crown, and grayer sides and back.

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight with strong wing beats.
American Wigeon Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: American Wigeon: Breeds from Alaska, northern Manitoba and southern Quebec south to Nevada, the Dakotas, and the Great Lakes region, rarely farther east. Spends winters mainly along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts. Marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes are preferred habitats.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationStable
MigrationMigratory
Weight27.2 Ounces