American Wigeon Pairs
The
American Wigeon is a beautiful and gregarious North American wild duck breed that can be found in all parts of North America during different times of the year. The
American Wigeon,also known as the
Bald Pate in many parts of the United States, is a dabbling duck--meaning it feeds primarily by dabbling for plant food in wet grasslands, brackish marshes, or freshwater stream beds.
This migratory bird winters winters in southern states, particularly those that border the Gulf of Mexico. The
American Wigeon is sighted frequently in Louisiana and Mississippi up until March or April, where many pair up and continue to Mexico to breed before returning to Northern United States and Canada. This is a highly gregarious bird, and in the wild will form large flocks when it is not breeding season.
The
American Wigeon typically nests on the ground, near water and under cover. The hens will usually lay between 6 and 12 creamy tinted/off white eggs. Females are light brown and colored similarly to the female
Mallard Duck. The
American Wigeon males have more color and distinction with a white band running from the nose to the back of the neck, iridescent green around the eye, and creamy and stippled neck. The body plumage is a dark tan color with a creamy light brown abdomen. The tail feathers are mostly black with some covert creamy white feathers visible as well.
