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Eurasian Wigeon

Anas penelopeOrder: ANSERIFORMESFamily: Geese and Ducks (Anatidae)
Eurasian Wigeon Portrait_2
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Range Map for Eurasian Wigeon

Overview

Eurasian Wigeon: Large dabbling duck with gray back and finely speckled gray flanks. Head is dark rufous-brown with buff crown and forehead; breast, neck and upper back are pale rufous brown, belly is white. Wings have white shoulder patches and green specula visible in flight. Gray legs, feet.

Range and Habitat

Eurasian Wigeon: Breeds from Iceland, the British Isles, and Scandinavia east to eastern Siberia and Kamchatka, and south to northern Europe, central Russia, and northern China. Occasional winter visitor to the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California and the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Labrador and Newfoundland south to Florida and west to southern Texas. Preferred habitats include marshes, ponds, lakes, and tidal flats.

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Voice Text

"whee-oo", "chreep"

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Related Birds:

Mallard
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
Cinnamon Teal
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Gadwall
Falcated Duck
.

Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family Diving Ducks (Anatidae)_blue
Species Anas penelope
Length18 - 20 Inches
Wingspan31 Inches

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon: Large dabbling duck with gray back and finely speckled gray flanks. Head is dark rufous-brown with buff crown and forehead; breast, neck and upper back are pale rufous brown, belly is white. Wings have white shoulder patches and green specula visible in flight. Gray legs, feet.

● Song: "whee-oo", "chreep"

● Foraging & Feeding: Eurasian Wigeon: Feeds primarily on pondweeds, eelgrass, other aquatic plants, and grass; forages in shallow water, fields, and meadows.

● Breeding & nesting: Eurasian Wigeon: Seven to nine creamy white to pale buff eggs are laid in a ground depression lined with grass and down, usually built near water, and hidden in tall grass. Female incubates eggs for 24 to 25 days; young fly at 60 to 70 days.

● Similar species: Eurasian Wigeon: American Wigeon has gray head with thick green eye mask extending down neck.

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Eurasian Wigeon Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Eurasian Wigeon: Breeds from Iceland, the British Isles, and Scandinavia east to eastern Siberia and Kamchatka, and south to northern Europe, central Russia, and northern China. Occasional winter visitor to the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California and the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Labrador and Newfoundland south to Florida and west to southern Texas. Preferred habitats include marshes, ponds, lakes, and tidal flats.
BreedingMonogamous, Semicolonial
PopulationRare to uncommon
MigrationMigratory
Weight28.8 Ounces