Key information
The wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a round head and small bill. The head and neck of the male are chestnut, with a yellow forehead, pink breast and grey body. In flight birds show white bellies and males have a large white wing patch.
Wigeons breed in central and northern Scotland and also in northern England. Many birds visit the UK in winter from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. With large numbers of wintering birds at a few UK sites, it is an Amber List species.
What they eat:
Aquatic plants, grasses, roots.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 45-51cm
- Wingspan:
- 75-86cm
- Weight:
- 500-900g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 400 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 440,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Wigeon (male)
Wigeon (female)
