The American wigeon, also known as Baldpate, is a species of diving duck native to North America. Wigeons are nicknamed baldpate as the males have a white stripe stretching from the forehead to the backside of the head. They are known for having the best erratic flight patterns out of all the other species of diving ducks.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Anas
Anas americana
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Anas
Anas americana
Table of Contents
They are known to be some of the most abundant diving ducks in North America.
Physical Description
Length: American Wigeon stretches to a length of 17-23 inches.
Weight: Their average weight ranges between 512-1,330gm.
Plumage: They have gray and brown colored plumage.
Bill: Both the sexes have pale blue bill with a black tip.
Wingspan: They usually have a wingspan of 76-91cm.
American Wigeon
Habitat
American wigeons are mainly seen in freshwater marshes, marshy sloughs, ponds and lakes. They are often spotted swimming and paddling in such areas. In the winter months, wigeons are seen in sheltered bays, shallow inland ponds, and wet meadows as well. During their breeding season they are spotted near about the freshwater wetlands such as ponds and small lakes. They are also found in the flyways and are highly abundant in the Pacific flyways.
Distribution
They are commonly seen in the northern part of Alaska and Canada as well as in parts of the midwest that include Idaho, Minnesota Colorado and the Dakotas. They are also found in Washington and Oregon. The majority of their population breeds on the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada. During the winter months, they can be spotted in several parts of California and Washington, as well as further east, in Texas and Louisiana.
Behavior
American Wigeons are well-known for their unique behavioral characteristics:
When they are on water, wigeons gather with divers and feeding coots.
They are known to form large flocks
They migrate in the fall just before the northern marshes starts freezing.
Wigeons are sometimes seen feeding on dry land.
Diet
The American wigeons feed on plant matter above as well as underneath the surface of the water. These diving ducks are feed in grasslands as well as marshes. They are known for poaching pieces of vegetation brought by other diving water birds.
During the breeding season, the female ducks eat aquatic invertebrates, but apart from that wigeons are dedicated plant eaters.
American Wigeon Photo
Adaptations
Their feet are positioned near the centre of gravity which allows them swim faster.
They can also walk quite fast on land.
Their short bills allows them clip vegetation and dig up plants
Predators
American wigeons are often attacked by crows, gulls, foxes, weasels, badgers and harriers.
Migration
American wigeons are migratory birds. They migrate along the major flyways of North America and arrive earlier to their wintering grounds. They spend the winter months in parts of New Mexico, Louisiana and Texas. Their migration is more protracted than that of other ducks. They start migrating early in September and the majority of their population follows the Pacific coast to the Puget South.
Flying American Wigeon
Calls
Their high-pitched whistles are heard from a long distance away.
Breeding Season
Their breeding season starts from winter and continues till spring.
Breeding
American wigeons are monogamous. They are the often the first waterfowl to arrive at the wintering grounds and it is during this time that the male and female wigeons form pair bonds. Male wigeons have several courtship displays such as swimming with their head and wings pointed upwards. The female wigeons then selects a nesting site. They build their nest using tall grass or other plant cover. The nest is located far away from the water. The female wigeons lays 4-9 eggs in the nest. The eggs hatch after about 25 days.
Life Cycle
The young wigeons leave the nest shortly after hatching. The young ones are fast learners and quickly become proficient in swimming and feeding. Mother Wigeons continues to protect as well as tend the younger ones until their feathers grows after 50-60 days of being born.
Conservation Status
IUCN has listed this species of diving ducks in the “least concern” category. Their population has seen declines as a result of extended drought in the prairies regions.
