The wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a round head and small bill. The head and neck of the male are chestnut, with a yellow forehead, pink breast and grey body. In flight birds show white bellies and males have a large white wing patch. Birds breed in central and northern Scotland and also in northern England. Many birds visit the UK in winter from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. With large numbers of wintering birds at a few UK sites it is an Amber List species.
Key ID Features:
In winter male has chestnut head and neck with a yellow forehead, round, grey body, pinkish breast and white band on wings.
The bill is blue-grey with a black tip.
Wigeon tend to move around together in sizable, tightly packed flocks.
The male's loud, explosive whistle is distinctive.
Overview
Scientific name: Anas penelope
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Where to see them:
Large numbers winter on the coast. A great place to see thousands together is on the RSPB Ouse Washes nature reserve in Cambridgeshire but they frequent many inland reservoirs and marshes.
Seen in UK:
All year round
What they eat
Aquatic plants, grasses, roots.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
