Male. Taken at Cley Marshes, Norfolk, on November 5th 2024 (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f/10. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Slimbridge, Gloucs, on January 18th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/200th sec at f10. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 42 - 50cm; WS 71 - 85 cm

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 large white wing patches.

In can be found in most parts of the British Isles in winter. Birds breed in north-western Scotland and northern England.

Its breeding habitats include boreal forest lakes and marshes, tundra pools and temperate shallow fresh waters.

It is gregarious except when nesting, and large flocks can ofen be found in winter when there is a large influx of birds from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. Up to half a million birds may spend the winter here.

With large numbers of wintering birds at a few UK sites it is an Amber List species.

Sightings