Page 107 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Anas penelope
Wigeon chestnut head yellow forehead
and neck
round grey body,
paler than Teal short,
dull grey wings black-tipped
greyish bill
FEMALE
black and pink breast
white stern
white band
white belly on wings
pointed
tail
white
MALE belly
(WINTER)
bold white
patch on
wings (adult)
MALE
(WINTER)
redder than female;
IN FLIGHT retains white on
wings round black-
mottled greyish to head tipped
rust-brown body; bluish bill
dark legs
MALE
(SUMMER)
ike most ducks, the Wigeon forms close flocks on water while
Lfeeding, advancing across a salt marsh or meadow in a tight-
packed mass. Such a flock looks richly colourful and adds to the FEMALE
effect with constant loud calls.Wigeon are generally shy and fly off
when approached, large numbers forming wheeling flocks circling
above a marsh or heading for the safety of a reservoir.They have FLIGHT: fast, wader-like, head protruding, wings
good reason to be wary, being the prime target of many fowlers. swept back and pointed, tail pointed.
VOICE Male has loud,
explosive, musical whistle,
whee-oo; female has deep,
rough, abrupt growl.
NESTING In long vegetation
on ground, near water; 8 or
9 eggs; 1 brood;April–July.
FEEDING Grazes on
short grass, often in dense
flocks; also feeds in shallow GRAZING
water, taking seeds, shoots, Dense Wigeon flocks feed on short grass near water. The entire flock
and roots. usually faces one way while feeding.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in N Europe and N UK, on
larger body; longer bill edges of moorland pools and
smaller, orange legs lakes in forests. Much more
darker
body widespread in winter on estuaries
and freshwater marshes, and on
white longer grassy areas surrounding reservoirs
yellow patch patch orange legs bill and water-filled pits.
TEAL 3 similar to 3 MALLARD 2 similar GADWALL 2 similar Seen in the UK
winter; see p.106 to 2; see p.101 to 2; see p.102 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 45–51cm (18–20in) Wingspan 75–86cm (30–34in) Weight 500–900g (18–32oz)
Social Dense flocks Lifespan Up to 15 years Status Secure
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