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Eurasian Wigeon Identification Guide

The Eurasian Wigeon is a migratory dabbling duck wintering on lakes, rivers and wetlands of western Europe. It is recognised by its compact shape, bluish-grey bill and, in males, a chestnut head with a pale crown. You will learn how to identify the Eurasian Wigeon, recognise its calls, understand its behaviour, feeding habits and seasonal movements.
Its scientific name is '**Mareca penelope**', from the family Anatidae (order Anseriformes)

Its scientific name is 'Mareca penelope', from the family Anatidae (order Anseriformes)

What I look like

What I look like

The Eurasian Wigeon is the **size of the Northern Shoveler**. It is a bit **smaller than the Mallard**.

The Eurasian Wigeon is the size of the Northern Shoveler. It is a bit smaller than the Mallard.

It has a **short neck**, a **fairly large round head**, and a **pointed tail**.

It has a short neck, a fairly large round head, and a pointed tail.

This characteristic silhouette **is very noticeable in flight**.

This characteristic silhouette is very noticeable in flight.

The bill is **light gray-blue** with a **black tip**.

The bill is light gray-blue with a black tip.

The **male** in **breeding plumage** has a **reddish-brown** head with a **straw-yellow** forehead and crown…

The male in breeding plumage has a reddish-brown head with a straw-yellow forehead and crown…

Its chest is **pinkish**. The rest of its body is **light gray** with a **black and white rear**…

Its chest is pinkish. The rest of its body is light gray with a black and white rear…

A large **white area** is visible at the front of the wing…

A large white area is visible at the front of the wing…

and sometimes, a **green speculum** bordered with black can be seen.

and sometimes, a green speculum bordered with black can be seen.

**Females** have quite **variable plumage** ranging from **gray-brown** to **reddish-brown**, more or less **barred or spotted**.

Females have quite variable plumage ranging from gray-brown to reddish-brown, more or less barred or spotted.

**In flight**, the upper wings of the females are **grayish**.

In flight, the upper wings of the females are grayish.

The **male in eclipse** resembles the female but has **more reddish-brown plumage** and retains its **white wing plumage**.

The male in eclipse resembles the female but has more reddish-brown plumage and retains its white wing plumage.

**Juveniles** resemble females.

Juveniles resemble females.

Discover also : Northern Shoveler Identification
Want to learn to recognize birds quickly by their shapes and morphology? The course "Ornitho Mnemolia - Water birds" guides you step by step. Start the course
My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

In the Eurasian Wigeon, the **male** emits a **glissando whistle** "vii-ou" in all seasons.

In the Eurasian Wigeon, the male emits a glissando whistle "vii-ou" in all seasons.

The **female** makes **low, harsh calls krekkeûkeurr**.

The female makes low, harsh calls krekkeûkeurr.

Here, you can hear **male whistles** followed by **grunting, harsh calls from females**.

Here, you can hear male whistles followed by grunting, harsh calls from females.

Discover also : Northern Shoveler Identification
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The course "Ornitho Mnemolia - Water birds" trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The Eurasian Wigeon is **often in groups**.

The Eurasian Wigeon is often in groups.

Its flight is **very rapid and interspersed** with sudden changes in direction, with the neck extended and the **wing tips pulled back**.

Its flight is very rapid and interspersed with sudden changes in direction, with the neck extended and the wing tips pulled back.

Discover also : Northern Shoveler Identification
Reading a bird's behavior changes everything in the field. The course shows you the key attitudes to recognize. Start the course
How I reproduce

How I reproduce

In the Eurasian Wigeon, **pairs** form **upon arrival at the wintering area**.

In the Eurasian Wigeon, pairs form upon arrival at the wintering area.

The **start of breeding** can be **very variable** as it greatly depends on the **quality of the environment** and **available resources**.

The start of breeding can be very variable as it greatly depends on the quality of the environment and available resources.

During the breeding season, it prefers **bogs and marshes near woods** or **wet meadows**.

During the breeding season, it prefers bogs and marshes near woods or wet meadows.

For **nesting**, the Eurasian Wigeon **is no longer gregarious**.

For nesting, the Eurasian Wigeon is no longer gregarious.

The **nest made of grass and stems** is built on the **ground**, well **hidden** in tall grass and **at a distance from the water**.

The nest made of grass and stems is built on the ground, well hidden in tall grass and at a distance from the water.

Discover also : Northern Shoveler Identification
Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

The **feeding habits** of the Eurasian Wigeon **vary** depending on the areas frequented. It can **filter** food.

The feeding habits of the Eurasian Wigeon vary depending on the areas frequented. It can filter food.

It is also **adapted for "grazing"** on aquatic or terrestrial plants. The **powerful tip of its bill** allows it to effectively cut plants.

It is also adapted for "grazing" on aquatic or terrestrial plants. The powerful tip of its bill allows it to effectively cut plants.

It feeds on **aquatic insects** like dragonflies and **terrestrial insects** like beetles.

It feeds on aquatic insects like dragonflies and terrestrial insects like beetles.

Discover also : Northern Shoveler Identification
To find birds more easily, you need to know their feeding habits. The course teaches you where to look and why. Start the course
Where to find me

Where to find me

The Eurasian Wigeon **mainly lives** on the **lakes and rivers of the taiga**.

The Eurasian Wigeon mainly lives on the lakes and rivers of the taiga.

It also lives on **coasts, lakes, and ponds in temperate regions**, especially **in winter**.

It also lives on coasts, lakes, and ponds in temperate regions, especially in winter.

It is **migratory**. It winters in **Western Europe** and can sometimes be found in meadows and fields.

It is migratory. It winters in Western Europe and can sometimes be found in meadows and fields.

It can live for about **eighteen years**.

It can live for about eighteen years.

Discover also : Northern Shoveler Identification
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The course "Ornitho Mnemolia - Water birds" helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Eurasian Wigeon is characterised by fast flight, whistling calls, grazing feeding behaviour and regular seasonal migrations between breeding and wintering areas.