American Wigeon (Anas americana) drake
Jericho, Vancouver. April 2012.
A dabbling duck found in North America, common and widespread. A bird of open wetlands, it feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing. It’s diet has higher proportion of plant matter than that of other dabbling ducks. Most migrate in the fall well before marshes begin to freeze. It is highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks. It nests on the ground, near water and under cover.
It is quite noisy. The male whistle makes a whoee-whoe-whoe, whereas the female has a low growl qua-ack.
● Medium-sized duck (larger than a teal)
● Round head
● Short neck
● Small, greyish blue bill with a black tip
● White crown
● Green face patch
● Large white patch in wings
● Black rear end bordered by white
● White belly
● Grey legs and feet
Breeding plumage:
● Dark green patch from behind eye to nape
● White cap running from the crown of its head to its bill
● White belly
● Large white patch on upper wing seen in flight
● Bill is bluish-gray with black tip
● Greyish cheeks and chin
● Pinkish-brown breast, sides, and back
● White patch in rear flanks
● Black undertail
Basic plumage:
● White and green on head are variable
● Undertail coverts are variably black, with some white
American Wigeon (Anas americana) drake
Jericho, Vancouver. April 2012.
A dabbling duck found in North America, common and widespread. A bird of open wetlands, it feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing. It’s diet has higher proportion of plant matter than that of other dabbling ducks. Most migrate in the fall well before marshes begin to freeze. It is highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks. It nests on the ground, near water and under cover.
It is quite noisy. The male whistle makes a whoee-whoe-whoe, whereas the female has a low growl qua-ack.
● Medium-sized duck (larger than a teal)
● Round head
● Short neck
● Small, greyish blue bill with a black tip
● White crown
● Green face patch
● Large white patch in wings
● Black rear end bordered by white
● White belly
● Grey legs and feet
Breeding plumage:
● Dark green patch from behind eye to nape
● White cap running from the crown of its head to its bill
● White belly
● Large white patch on upper wing seen in flight
● Bill is bluish-gray with black tip
● Greyish cheeks and chin
● Pinkish-brown breast, sides, and back
● White patch in rear flanks
● Black undertail
Basic plumage:
● White and green on head are variable
● Undertail coverts are variably black, with some white