How to identify the Wigeon

To correctly identify the Wigeon (Anas penelope), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

42-59 cm (16.5-23.2 in)

Wingspan

71-80 cm (28-31.5 in)

Weight

500-1070 g (1.1-2.4 lbs)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adult breeding male: Chestnut head with a creamy-yellow forehead and crown, pinkish-brown breast, grey flanks with fine vermiculations, white belly, black undertail coverts, and a prominent white patch on the upperwing (speculum). Adult female: Mottled reddish-brown and grey-brown plumage overall, with a paler belly. Both sexes have a grey bill with a black tip and a white belly in flight. The speculum is green bordered with black in both sexes, but the male's white upperwing patch is a key differentiator.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Relatively small, short, and rounded bill, grey with a black tip.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Greyish-blue to dark grey.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Male's creamy-yellow forehead and crown, chestnut head, and white upperwing patch. Female's overall reddish-brown mottling and small bill. In flight, the white belly and green speculum are good field marks.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Resemble adult females but are duller and more uniformly grey-brown, with less distinct mottling. The bill is often darker.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   Males undergo an eclipse plumage in late summer (July-September) where they resemble females, but often retain some remnants of their breeding plumage, such as a darker head and a more defined white wing patch. They regain their full breeding plumage by late autumn.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males are much more brightly colored and patterned than females, especially during the breeding season. Females are cryptically colored for camouflage during nesting.

Key field marks

• Male Breeding Plumage. Look for the striking chestnut head with a creamy-yellow forehead and crown, pinkish-brown breast, and grey flanks. The prominent white patch on the upperwing (visible in flight and at rest) is diagnostic.
• Female Plumage. Observe the overall mottled reddish-brown and grey-brown plumage. Note the relatively small, rounded head and small, grey bill with a black tip. In flight, look for the white belly and green speculum.
• Bill Shape. Both sexes have a distinctive small, short, and rounded bill, which is grey with a black tip. This is a good feature to distinguish them from other dabbling ducks.
• Vocalization. Listen for the male's clear, whistling 'whee-oo' call, which is very characteristic and often heard before the bird is seen.
• Behavior. Observe their feeding behavior; they often graze on land like geese or 'tip up' in shallow water. They are often found in large, cohesive flocks.

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