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Wigeon

Mareca penelope

Not yet photographed by the community

Chestnut-headed duck; piping whistle of the male.

Species Profile

Amber List (winter population dependent on cold-weather arrivals from Siberia and Europe)

Lifespan: 8–10 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 45–51 cm, wingspan 75–86 cm; 540–900 g
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal waters with adjacent grassland for grazing.
UK Distribution: Winter visitor and passage migrant across the UK, arriving September–October and departing March–April. Small numbers breed in Scotland. Most abundant in southern and central England.
Diet: Primarily herbivorous, grazing on grasses, clover, and aquatic vegetation; also dabbles for seeds and plant material in water.
Predators: Foxes, stoats, and weasels (chicks and eggs); birds of prey including hen harriers, peregrines, and white-tailed eagles.
Mating Season: April to June
Breeding: Clutch of 7–10 eggs, incubation period 22–24 days, typically one brood per season. Ducklings fledge at 6–7 weeks.
Behaviour: Highly social ducks, forming large flocks in winter, particularly on favoured reservoirs. Males are vocal, producing distinctive whistling calls. Wigeon often graze on land more than other dabbling ducks, sometimes in mixed flocks with other duck species.

Did You Know?

•The male's distinctive whistled 'whee-oo' call is the origin of its name 'wigeon'
•Wigeon populations are strongly influenced by winter weather in northern Europe; hard freezes can drive mass arrivals to the UK
•They are dabbling ducks but spend considerable time grazing on land, more like geese than typical ducks
•The UK hosts over 400,000 wigeon in winter, making it one of Europe's most important wintering grounds
•Males have chestnut heads with cream-coloured foreheads, whilst females are duller brown; this striking difference makes them easy to identify

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