Photo by Leslie
- Anas americana
Identification
45-56cm
Male: pinkish-brown flanks and breast, black undertail coverts, white speculum, greyish head, green eye patch and a whitish crown stripe.
Female - light brown. White axillaries
- White fore-wing shows in flight.
Similar Species
Eurasian Wigeon, Chiloe Wigeon
Distribution
Alaska south throughout most of Canada and western United States.
Winters to north-west South America
Taxonomy
Sometimes placed in the genus Mareca.(Reference needed)
This is a monotypic species.[1]
Habitat
Forages in marshes, fields, and shallow waters.
Behaviour
A dabbling duck.
Diet
The diet includes vegetable matter.
Breeding
Six to twelve creamy-white eggs are laid on the ground near water
Vocalisation
The male has a weak clear whistle in three syllables: wee-whee-whoe, whereas the female has a low growl qua-ack.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Surfbirds
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) American Wigeon. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 14 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/American_Wigeon
