North American field guide
American Wigeon
Anas americana
Identification
Field notes
46-58 cm (18-20") Common. Marshes, shallow lakes, bays, ponds, fields. Surface feeding duck but also grazes in fields.
Male: gray head with white stripe on forehead and crown, deep green iridescent patch through eye; brownish breast and sides; gray or black back; pale blue bill with black tip. In flight, large white patch on upper forewing; white "wingpits" or axillaries - not gray as in Eurasian Wigeon's.
Female: grayish head and neck, dark eye spot; brownish sides; pale blue or grayish bill with black tip. In flight, large white patch on upper forewing; white belly; white "wingpits" or axillaries - not gray as in Eurasian Wigeon's.
Song: three-note whistle, soft quacks.
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Watch and learn
Videos
California Wildlife ---- American Wigeon, vocalizing
Credit: American WildlifeAmerican Wigeon
Credit: Frank of OregonWhere it lives
Distribution maps
Source legend · original intervals
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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence
Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.
Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants · 2 rules
These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.
American Wigeon (Female)
1 ruleRule 1 12 criteria · confidence 6
- What colour was the SIDE ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What colour was the BACK ?
- Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- What colour was the THROAT ?
- Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- What colour was the BILL ?
- Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Flattened · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Short · Medium · Unknown
- What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
- NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
- What colour were the EYES ?
- Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
- What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
- Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Duck or Goose-like
American Wigeon (Male)
1 ruleRule 1 13 criteria · confidence 6
- What Color were the UNDERTAIL COVERTS ?
- Black, dark gray or dark · Unknown
- What colour was the SIDE ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What colour was the BACK ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What colour was the THROAT ?
- Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- What colour was the BILL ?
- Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Flattened · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Medium · Long · Unknown
- What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
- Dark area behind, under, through or around the eye · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
- What colour were the EYES ?
- Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
- What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Green · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Duck or Goose-like