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Eurasian Wigeon Identification

Eurasian Wigeon Adult male
Adult male

Adult males have a chestnut head with a buffy crown that contrasts with a mostly gray body. Note large white patch in the wing.

© Greg Gillson | Macaulay LibraryOregon, February 19, 2011
Eurasian Wigeon Female
Female

Round-headed duck with a short, blue-gray bill with a black tip. Females have a mostly brown to gray-brown body, with a white belly that is visible in flight.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryMiyazaki, December 23, 2013
Eurasian Wigeon Male
Male

Short neck and round headed with a fairly short, black-tipped bill. Note chestnut head and large white patch in the wing.

© David Disher | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, October 03, 2016
Eurasian Wigeon Eclipse male
Eclipse male

Mostly brown to reddish-brown, often mottled along flanks. Usually shows white wing stripe, but lacks black tail and undertail coverts.

© Luke Seitz | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 19, 2016
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Adult Description

  • Medium-sized duck.
  • Male with dark reddish head and buffy crown.
  • Gray sides.
  • Black rear end bordered by white.
  • Large white patch in wings.

Immature Description

Similar to adult female.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween crow and goosebetween crow and goose
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 16.5-20.5 in (42-52 cm)
    • Weight: 17.6-33.5 oz (500-950 g)

Species in This Family

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae)

Black-bellied Whistling-DuckBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-DuckFulvous Whistling-Duck
Emperor GooseEmperor Goose
Snow GooseSnow Goose
Ross's GooseRoss's Goose
Greater White-fronted GooseGreater White-fronted Goose
BrantBrant
Cackling GooseCackling Goose
Canada GooseCanada Goose
Mute SwanMute Swan
Trumpeter SwanTrumpeter Swan
Tundra SwanTundra Swan
Muscovy DuckMuscovy Duck
Wood DuckWood Duck
Blue-winged TealBlue-winged Teal
Cinnamon TealCinnamon Teal
Northern ShovelerNorthern Shoveler
GadwallGadwall
Eurasian WigeonEurasian Wigeon
American WigeonAmerican Wigeon
Northern PintailNorthern Pintail
MallardMallard
American Black DuckAmerican Black Duck
Mottled DuckMottled Duck
CanvasbackCanvasback
RedheadRedhead
Ring-necked DuckRing-necked Duck
Greater ScaupGreater Scaup
Lesser ScaupLesser Scaup
Steller's EiderSteller's Eider
King EiderKing Eider
Green-winged TealGreen-winged Teal
Common EiderCommon Eider
Harlequin DuckHarlequin Duck
Surf ScoterSurf Scoter
Black ScoterBlack Scoter
Long-tailed DuckLong-tailed Duck
BuffleheadBufflehead
Common GoldeneyeCommon Goldeneye
Barrow's GoldeneyeBarrow's Goldeneye
Hooded MerganserHooded Merganser
Common MerganserCommon Merganser
Red-breasted MerganserRed-breasted Merganser
White-winged ScoterWhite-winged Scoter
Ruddy DuckRuddy Duck

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