The Odd Duck
By Debbie Wiggins, Golden Eagle Guest Blogger
The male American Wigeon (Mareca Americana) makes a three-note whistling call and sports a wide creamy ribbon running from his bill to the crown of his head. He has a mask of green feathers around the eyes. His pale blue bill is tipped in black and is narrower than that of other dabbling ducks. His female companion has a brownish gray head, an eye that seems to disappear into shadow, similar bill, and a hoarse quack that is among the loudest of any female duck. The small bill, along with a round head and short neck, distinguishes the American Wigeon from other dabbing ducks.
American Wigeon by Ken Miracle
Where’s The White?
If these characteristics aren’t definitive enough, challenge yourself to find the white. The question ‘Where’s the WHITE?’ was originally posed by Kevin McGowan of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Though dabbling ducks come in a variety of colors, he promises that males can all be distinguished by the unique arrangement of white patches on their bodies. In the case of the American Wigeon there is the cream/white stripe on the top of the head and a white patch on the side of the rump. Those two identifiers seem pretty reliable once you know what you’re looking for but apply only to males.
American Wigeon by Louisa Evers
Meanwhile, both sexes have white under the wings, best seen when the wings are outstretched, translating to a thin white line on the sides of the body when the wings are folded; not so easily seen. It also happens that both males and females have white bellies, so you might get some ‘last gasp’ help with identification as the Wigeons lift from the water.
This time of year, American Wigeons may congregate in large groups on open water, often with other species of waterfowl. Our experienced birding friends admonish us to take a close look at these large gatherings. They are surprised, but never totally stunned, to sometimes discover a Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) mingling with the other ducks. Similarly patterned, subtly different in color, a new life bird may be waiting!
Beyond Dabbling
Overwintering here in the Treasure Valley, American Wigeons inhabit marshes, ponds, lakes, local rivers and some recently-harvested fields. On water, they exhibit some unusual feeding behavior that expands the realm of the typical dabbling duck. Yes, they surface feed. Yes, they tip up to forage sub-surface. And between tip-ups, they swim some distance with heads submerged, feeding head-on as they go. Wigeons also spend time in deeper water where they aggressively pursue coots and diving ducks to steal their food as they surface. Thievery!
The short narrow bills of the Wigeons are similar to those of geese. Mechanically, more force is exerted at the tip of the bill so they easily pull up grasses and strip stems and leaves from plants. On agricultural lands they glean shoots and various wasted grains. In town, they graze on the lawns of parks and golf courses. These ducks are stricter vegetarians and overall consume more plant material than the other species of surface-feeding ducks. To a large degree, it is the pre-nesting and nesting hens and young ducklings that eat, even temporarily, a more protein-rich diet.
American Wigeon by Ken Miracle
American Wigeons are quite skittish. They flush readily when disturbed, and even take to feeding at night during hunting and breeding seasons. Despite these precautions, the average age for this species is less than 3 years. The reason for this is not known.
All-in-all the American Wigeon has some quirks which make them unique. But aren’t we each the odd duck in our own way?
Next: Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Sources:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (allaboutbirds.com, birdsoftheworld,com)
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Animal Diversity Web
Biodiversity Browser (Alberta Canada’s encyclopedia of life)