What does the Wigeon eat?

The Wigeon's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Herbivore, primarily grazing on aquatic and terrestrial vegetation.

How it forages

Primarily a grazer, feeding on the leaves, stems, and seeds of aquatic and terrestrial plants. They often 'tip up' to reach submerged vegetation but rarely dive. On land, they graze on short grasses in fields, often alongside geese. They are known to steal food from diving ducks like Coots and Pochards.

When it feeds

Diurnal, though they may feed at night during full moon periods or in areas with disturbance.

Explore the Wigeon