Wigeon

Anas penelope

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. Birds 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.

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Discover more about Wigeon

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Related species

Eider Duck

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Did you know?

The form close-knit groups and are very gregarious outside the breeding season.

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When to see

Wigeon gather in large numbers throughout the winter. During the breeding season, they are only found in a few locations in the Highlands.

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Where to see

They can be found feeding on wetlands and marshes, and gather on the coast during the winter months.

Dolphin Icon Blue
Related species

Eider Duck

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

The form close-knit groups and are very gregarious outside the breeding season.

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

Wigeon gather in large numbers throughout the winter. During the breeding season, they are only found in a few locations in the Highlands.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

They can be found feeding on wetlands and marshes, and gather on the coast during the winter months.

Dolphin Icon Blue
Related species

Eider Duck

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

The form close-knit groups and are very gregarious outside the breeding season.

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

Wigeon gather in large numbers throughout the winter. During the breeding season, they are only found in a few locations in the Highlands.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

They can be found feeding on wetlands and marshes, and gather on the coast during the winter months.