Species Profile
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelope
Wigeon, also known as the Eurasian or European wigeon
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Wigeon, Whistling Duck
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Appearance
The Eurasian Wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive appearance. Males have a chestnut-coloured head with a cream forehead and crown, grey body, and black rear end. Their wings feature a white patch visible in flight.
Females are predominantly mottled brown, lacking the male's striking colouration. They are also typically smaller than males. Both sexes have a blue-grey bill with a black tip and grey legs. In eclipse plumage, males resemble females but retain their wing pattern.
Juveniles are similar in appearance to females. By their first winter, young males develop the distinctive grey body and chestnut head of adult males, but it takes a further year for the white wing markings to be fully defined.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Green
- Beak
- Blue
- Legs
- Grey
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Buff
- Beak
- Blue
- Legs
- Grey
Female Markings
Mottled brown plumage, lacking male's distinctive head pattern
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Eurasian Wigeons breed across northern Europe and Asia, from Iceland to Siberia. They prefer shallow freshwater wetlands, lakes, and coastal lagoons for breeding. During winter, they migrate to temperate and subtropical regions.
Large numbers winter in the UK, particularly along the east and south coasts. They are also found in coastal areas of western Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and parts of southern Asia during non-breeding seasons.
The Somerset Levels are known as a favourite spot for wintering wigeons, with tens of thousands being recorded in some years. UK breeding Wigeons can be found in central and northern Scotland and parts of northern England, where up to 400 pairs breed each year.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Scotland
Wales
Bedfordshire
Rutland
Northern Ireland
Cambridgeshire
Buckinghamshire
Cumbria
Berkshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
London
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Eurasian Wigeons are primarily herbivores that feed on aquatic plants and grasses. They often graze on land, consuming grass, leaves, and seeds. During the breeding season, some small insects, particularly midges, are eaten.
In water, they dabble in submerged vegetation and occasionally small aquatic invertebrates. Their short bill is adapted for efficient grazing on short grasses.
In winter, grazing Eurasian wigeons eat seeds, rice, potatoes and even droppings of seagulls. Feeding occurs during both the day and night in winter months, according to the timing of the tides.
Behaviour
Eurasian Wigeons are highly gregarious, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They are primarily grazers, frequently seen feeding on land near water bodies.
These ducks are known for their distinctive whistling call, which is often heard before the birds are seen.
Calls & Sounds
The Eurasian Wigeon's call is highly distinctive. Males produce a melodious, far-carrying whistle described as 'whee-oo' or 'wee-wee-wee'. This whistle gives the species its alternative name 'whistling duck'. Females make a low, guttural 'growl' or 'purr', often in response to the male's call.
Nesting & Breeding
Eurasian Wigeons form pairs during winter or early spring, often returning to previous breeding sites. The breeding season typically begins in May. Females select nest sites on the ground, usually well-hidden in dense vegetation near water.
The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass and down. Females lay 8-9 cream-coloured eggs, which they incubate alone for about 24-25 days. They will leave the eggs for a short period to forage in the nearby water. Males usually depart once incubation begins.
Ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching. They can feed themselves but remain under maternal care for about 45-50 days until they fledge.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Eurasian Wigeons face threats from habitat loss and degradation, particularly in their breeding grounds. Climate change may also impact their migration patterns and breeding success.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and managing hunting practices.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Eurasian Wigeons in shallow wetlands, coastal areas, and grassy fields near water.
- Listen for their characteristic whistling call, which sounds like a high-pitched 'whee-oo'.
- In the UK, observe large flocks during winter months in estuaries and coastal marshes.
- Use the male's distinctive cream forehead and chestnut head as key identification features.
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Wigeons are known to 'steal' food from diving ducks by waiting for them to surface with aquatic plants.
- They can fly at speeds of up to 75 km/h (46 mph) during migration.
- In the UK, Eurasian Wigeons are sometimes called 'baldpates' due to the male's pale forehead.
- The name ‘wigeon’ is thought to be derived from the Middle French or Old French words vigeon, vingeon and vignier, meaning “to whine or shout”, which echoes the sharp, piercing whistle made by males of the species.
- Male wigeons are known as drakes. Flocks of wigeons are called ‘bunches’.
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