Specie's Page                                               Water Fowl - Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon: UK Status: This duck is native to the UK, numbers increase greatly with over wintering birds coming from Iceland and Scandinavia.

Habitat: These birds like open wetland like flooded meadows, and marshland during the breeding season. They  also require tall growth and shrubs. During winter they can be found on pools, lakes and river estuaries.

Breeding: Nesting takes place on the ground, usually under cover. Nests are made near to water, and are constructed from grass, or straw and other kinds of vegetation. Six to twelve creamy coloured eggs are laid in their single annual clutch. Eggs take about three and a half weeks to hatch.

Comment: The male looks very different during the autumn and early winter when it is in eclipse (non breeding plumage). Males in eclipse are very similar looking to the darker brown female, the males white wing bars are a give away feature. Juveniles are similar looking to the females, Widgeon are dabbling ducks, and are not divers.