American Wigeon (Mareca americana)

American Wigeon are also known as the “Baldpate” by many hunters, because of the white forehead and crown. The American Wigeon spends much of its time foraging in and around aquatic environments, but it is also comfortable foraging on land, eating young plant shoots and seeds. They are also much more likely than most dabbling ducks to be found in deep water, where they sometimes harass other duck species and steal their food.

Habitat

Prefers large inland marshes for breeding. Can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats during the winter and in migration, including ponds, lakes, rivers, fresh or saltwater marshes, and coastal estuaries.

Diet

Primarily plant material, and is comfortable feeding both on aquatic and terrestrial vegetation. This includes plants such as duckweed, fresh stems of herbaceous grasses, underwater aquatic vegetation, and seeds and roots of many plants. American Wigeons will also eat insects, insect larvae, and snails, particularly during the nesting season. They have adapted well to a human presence and will feed on waste grain if available.

Behavior

Uses a wide variety of foraging techniques, from tipping to submerge the head, picking food items from the water's surface, feeding on dry land, and stealing food from other waterfowl. They are more comfortable walking and feeding on land than some other waterfowl.

Nesting

June and July in South Dakota. The nest site of an American Wigeon is on dry ground, often a surprisingly long distance from water or wetlands. It is located in a protected area on the ground, such as amongst tall vegetation. The nest is a small scrape on the ground, lined with grasses, other herbaceous vegetation, and down. The female lays between 4 and 12 eggs, and she alone incubates them. The eggs hatch after about 23 days. The young leave the nest soon after hatching and pursue food on their own, although the female will protect them.

Interactive eBird Map

Click to access an interactive eBird map of American Wigeon sightings

Song

A rather vocal species, American Wigeon males have a high, squeaky whistle that's vocalized in a number of situations, including in courtship and when disturbed. Females have a different quacking call.

Click here to hear the quacking call of a female American Wigeon¹, recorded in Routt County, Colorado.
Click here to hear the whistled vocalizations of a group of American Wigeon², recorded in King County, Washington.
Click here to hear the calls of a male American Wigeon in flight³, recorded in Quebec.

Migration

Summers throughout most of Canada, Alaska, and the northern third of the United States. Winters along the North American coasts, the southern third of the United States, and points south, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America.

Similar Species

Male is generally distinctive, if seen well. The more plainly patterned females could potentially be confused with other dabbling ducks.

Eurasian Wigeon - Even the most similar male duck is easy to distinguish from a male American Wigeon, and Eurasian Wigeons are just a rare visitor to North America. Eurasian Wigeons share the same “bald pate” on the forehead, but the head is primarily brown and lacks any green or colored stripe as seen on the American Wigeon. Female American and Eurasian Wigeons are more difficult to differentiate. Female Eurasian Wigeons tend to have warmer brown tones on their head and neck, as well as on their flanks.
Green-winged Teal - The point of confusion between a male American Wigeon and male Green-winged Teal is that they both share a green stripe from the eye through the back of the head. However, Green-winged Teal are smaller, have a rich chestnut colored face and neck, have a more gray colored body, and have a white vertical stripe on their sides below the neck. Female Green-winged Teals and American Wigeons might also be confused, but Green-winged Teals are smaller and have a longer more monotone bill.
Gadwall - With a lack of the bald head or green eye stripe, male Gadwalls are unlikely to be confused with male American Wigeons, but they might be confused with females. However, male Gadwalls are darker overall, and have a darker, more uniform colored bill than a female American Wigeon.

Conservation Status

Records over the last several decades, including Christmas Bird Count and Breeding Bird Survey results, show populations have been relatively stable. Their range has expanded eastward in recent decades. They are found across a very broad geographic area and are quite common in parts of their range. BirdLife International's IUCN-associated data lists the American Wigeon as Least Concern.

Further Information

Photo Information

May 15th, 2014 - Near Anchorage, Alaska -- Terry L. Sohl

Audio File Credits

¹ Andrew Spencer, XC100899. Accessible at xeno-canto.

² Bruce Lagerquist, XC404504. Accessible at xeno-canto.

³ Martin St-Michel, XC187408. Accessible at xeno-canto.