American Wigeon

Description: American wigeon males take their common name from their white foreheads and crowns. On the male, a green patch runs from the eye to the back of the head. The back, sides, and chest are brown or light brown, and the belly is white. The hen is mostly mottled brown. Both drakes and hens have dark gray feet and legs and blue-gray bills with black tips. Drakes are slightly larger than hens. Average size: 18-23 inches. Average weight: 1-2 ½ pounds.

Science: American wigeon breed in much of the western United States, western and northern Canada, and Alaska. They nest around prairie marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes. Their fall migration begins early in mid-August; they winter in all coastal US states as well as in Mexico and British Columbia. In the winter, birds are often found in coastal bays and estuaries and seldom mix with other species. They feed mainly on aquatic plants, but also eat upland grasses and legumes. The drake emits a whistling call. Their population is steadily increasing.

Hunting: Wigeon are mostly taken incidentally by mallard hunters, although some hunters specifically pursue wigeon. They respond to both mallard calls and decoy spreads. Wigeon decoys and calls are available and effective. The eating quality is excellent.