American Wigeon
American Wigeon
85
6 months ago
door
Oskar Bakker
Points:
85
The American Wigeon is a common dabbling duck of North America. Breeding males are easily identified by their green eye-patch, a white stripe on the crown (often called a 'bald pate'), and a grey body with reddish flanks. Females are mottled brown with a grey head. Both sexes have a white patch on the forewing in flight.
Where to spot
Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. Winters widely across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Prefers shallow wetlands, marshes, lakes, and coastal lagoons.
How to spot
Identify breeding males by their white crown and green eye-stripe. Both sexes have a small, short bill and a distinctive white belly. Look for their white wing patch in flight. They are known to 'steal' food from diving ducks.
When to spot
Can be observed year-round in resident populations in some parts of its range. Migratory populations are best seen during spring and autumn (March-May and September-November) as they move between breeding and wintering grounds.
Where to spot
Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. Winters widely across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Prefers shallow wetlands, marshes, lakes, and coastal lagoons.
How to spot
Identify breeding males by their white crown and green eye-stripe. Both sexes have a small, short bill and a distinctive white belly. Look for their white wing patch in flight. They are known to 'steal' food from diving ducks.
When to spot
Can be observed year-round in resident populations in some parts of its range. Migratory populations are best seen during spring and autumn (March-May and September-November) as they move between breeding and wintering grounds.
Credits:
Door Karney, Lee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Publiek domein, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162015
Credits:
By lwolfartist - https://www.flickr.com/photos/151817352@N04/54311173148/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159469746
American Wigeons are often referred to as 'baldpates' due to the male's distinct white crown stripe, making them easy to identify even at a distance.
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