Prev    AMERICAN WIGEON    Next

AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana)

©Nigel Key American Wigeon (Slimbridge March 2011)

The American Wigeon is a species of dabbling duck. The wigeon can be identified from other dabblers by its round head, small bill and short neck.

The Wigeon often gather with coots and divers on the water and are known to feed off vegetation brought to the surface whilst the divers are feeding.

The American Wigeon is also known as the 'baldpate' due to the light patch on top of its head.

   Hear the American Wigeon's Call:-
Conservation Status


Size
420mm to 590mm (17" to 23")

Appearance - Male
The male American Wigeon has a Green stripe running from the eye down down the nape of the neck and a Cream coloured cap from its crown to its bill. The bill is pale Blue with a Black tip, the throat and cheeks are a Black spotted Creamy White colour. The breast and flanks are a Pinkish Brown with the undersides being White. The legs and feet are Grey.

Appearance - Female
The female American Wigeon has mostly Grey Brown plumage, a White belly, pale Blue bill with a Black tip and Grey legs and feet.

Habitat
Wetlands, Marshes, Wet Grasses and Lakes in North America and Canada.

Diet
Mainly Aquatic Plants, Seeds, Algae, Sedges, and some Insects and Larvae. Also grazes on Pasture Grasses.

Breeding Time
End of May to early June.

Nest
The nest is constructed on the ground from grasses and twigs and lined with down.

Eggs
Quantity: 5 to 7
Colour: Creamy-White.







Fatbirder's Top 1000 Birding Websites


PHOTOGRAPHS

American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge May 2014) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge April 2015) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge June 2015) - pic by Nigel Key
17/05/14 09/04/15 30/06/15
American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge April 2013) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge May 2013) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge July 2013) - pic by Nigel Key
06/04/13 25/05/13 06/07/13
American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge April 2013) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge April 2013) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge April 2013) - pic by Nigel Key
06/04/13 06/04/13 06/04/13
American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge March 2012) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge May 2012) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge May 2012) - pic by Nigel Key
24/03/12 26/05/12 26/05/12
American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge March 2011) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge October 2011) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge October 2011) - pic by Nigel Key
25/03/11 01/10/11 10/10/11
American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge March 2011) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge March 2011) - pic by Nigel Key American Wigeon (WWT Slimbridge March 2011) - pic by Nigel Key
25/03/11 25/03/11 25/03/11
Photos copyright of ©Nigel Key
Click for larger image


Related Links:-


Dabbling Ducks - www.slim-bridge.co.uk


You can help to protect wetland habitats in the UK and around the World by becoming a member of the WWT, visit official WWT site for details.





LOCATION

American Wigeon
Breeding Habitat - North America
Alaska to prairie provinces of Canada and USA.
Winter Habitat or Migration Area
Winter on Pacific and Atlantic coasts of USA, Mexico, Cuba and Belize.

WWT Slimbridge Location - American Wigeon
North America Zone - WWT Slimbridge
© Nigel Key North America Zone (WWT Slimbridge September 2012)

The American Wigeon is found in the North America Zone.

North America Zone (WWT Slimbridge)
North America Zone.
Where can I find this location?
To locate the North America Zone and places of interest at Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (W.W.T.), please click the above image for a map.

WWT Slimbridge Wildfowl (Listed Alphabetically)
A-B  | C-F  | G-L  | M-R  | S-Z
Wildfowl A to B
African Black Duck
African Pygmy Goose
American Black Duck
American Flamingo
American Wigeon
American Wood Duck
Andean Flamingo
Andean Goose
Argentinian Ruddy Duck
Ashy-Headed Goose
Australian Shelduck
Australian Shoveler
Australian Wood Duck
Baer's Pochard
Baikal Teal
Bar-Headed Goose
Barnacle Goose
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bean Goose
Bewick's Swan
Black-Bellied Whistling Duck
Black-Crowned Crane
Black-Headed Duck
Black-Necked Swan
Black Swan
Blue-Winged Goose
Blue-Winged Teal
Brazilian Teal
Brent Goose
Bronze-Winged Duck
Bufflehead