Species Profile
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelope
Wigeon, also known as the Eurasian or European wigeon
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Wigeon, Whistling Duck
Think you've spotted a Eurasian Wigeon?
Upload a photo and we'll confirm it instantly
Confirm with a PhotoGallery
Appearance
The Eurasian Wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive appearance. Males have a chestnut-coloured head with a cream forehead and crown, grey body, and black rear end. Their wings feature a white patch visible in flight.
Females are predominantly mottled brown, lacking the male's striking colouration. They are also typically smaller than males. Both sexes have a blue-grey bill with a black tip and grey legs. In eclipse plumage, males resemble females but retain their wing pattern.
Juveniles are similar in appearance to females. By their first winter, young males develop the distinctive grey body and chestnut head of adult males, but it takes a further year for the white wing markings to be fully defined.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Blue
- Legs
- Grey
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Buff
- Beak
- Blue
- Legs
- Grey
Female Markings
Mottled brown plumage, lacking male's distinctive head pattern
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Eurasian Wigeons breed across northern Europe and Asia, from Iceland to Siberia. They prefer shallow freshwater wetlands, lakes, and coastal lagoons for breeding. During winter, they migrate to temperate and subtropical regions.
Large numbers winter in the UK, particularly along the east and south coasts. They are also found in coastal areas of western Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and parts of southern Asia during non-breeding seasons.
The Somerset Levels are known as a favourite spot for wintering wigeons, with tens of thousands being recorded in some years. UK breeding Wigeons can be found in central and northern Scotland and parts of northern England, where up to 400 pairs breed each year.
Where and when to see it
How often the Eurasian Wigeon turns up in the UK and Ireland through the year, from birdwatchers' records.
United Kingdom
Winter visitor · all year · most records in January
Ireland
Winter visitor · regularly Aug–Apr · most records in January
Show as a table
| Month | United Kingdom | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.0% (regular) | 1.2% (regular) |
| February | 0.89% (regular) | 1.2% (regular) |
| March | 0.75% (regular) | 0.93% (regular) |
| April | 0.31% (regular) | 0.22% (regular) |
| May | 0.14% (regular) | 0.039% |
| June | 0.095% (regular) | 0.034% |
| July | 0.081% (regular) | 0.054% |
| August | 0.17% (regular) | 0.098% (regular) |
| September | 0.66% (regular) | 0.49% (regular) |
| October | 0.90% (regular) | 0.84% (regular) |
| November | 1.0% (regular) | 1.1% (regular) |
| December | 0.99% (regular) | 1.2% (regular) |
Recorded regularly in
Worldwide: recorded regularly in 91 countries
Countries where it was recorded in at least 3 of the 6 years 2019–2024. Linked countries have their own bird list.
Europe (44)
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guernsey
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Italy
- Jersey
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Asia (35)
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- China
- Cyprus
- Georgia
- Hong Kong SAR China
- India
- Iran
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Macao SAR China
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Nepal
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Territories
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
North America (5)
Oceania (3)
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- US Outlying Islands
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made
Diet
Eurasian Wigeons are primarily herbivores that feed on aquatic plants and grasses. They often graze on land, consuming grass, leaves, and seeds. During the breeding season, some small insects, particularly midges, are eaten.
In water, they dabble in submerged vegetation and occasionally small aquatic invertebrates. Their short bill is adapted for efficient grazing on short grasses.
In winter, grazing Eurasian wigeons eat seeds, rice, potatoes and even droppings of seagulls. Feeding occurs during both the day and night in winter months, according to the timing of the tides.
Behaviour
Eurasian Wigeons are highly gregarious, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They are primarily grazers, frequently seen feeding on land near water bodies.
These ducks are known for their distinctive whistling call, which is often heard before the birds are seen.
Calls & Sounds
The Eurasian Wigeon's call is highly distinctive. Males produce a melodious, far-carrying whistle described as 'whee-oo' or 'wee-wee-wee'. This whistle gives the species its alternative name 'whistling duck'. Females make a low, guttural 'growl' or 'purr', often in response to the male's call.
- Song0:00 / 2:23
Recorded in PA, United States · June 2019
- Flight call0:00 / 0:15
Recorded in Bretagne, France · December 2025
Nesting & Breeding
Eurasian Wigeons form pairs during winter or early spring, often returning to previous breeding sites. The breeding season typically begins in May. Females select nest sites on the ground, usually well-hidden in dense vegetation near water.
The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass and down. Females lay 8-9 cream-coloured eggs, which they incubate alone for about 24-25 days. They will leave the eggs for a short period to forage in the nearby water. Males usually depart once incubation begins.
Ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching. They can feed themselves but remain under maternal care for about 45-50 days until they fledge.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Eurasian Wigeons face threats from habitat loss and degradation, particularly in their breeding grounds. Climate change may also impact their migration patterns and breeding success.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and managing hunting practices.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Eurasian Wigeons in shallow wetlands, coastal areas, and grassy fields near water.
- Listen for their characteristic whistling call, which sounds like a high-pitched 'whee-oo'.
- In the UK, observe large flocks during winter months in estuaries and coastal marshes.
- Use the male's distinctive cream forehead and chestnut head as key identification features.
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Wigeons are known to 'steal' food from diving ducks by waiting for them to surface with aquatic plants.
- They can fly at speeds of up to 75 km/h (46 mph) during migration.
- In the UK, Eurasian Wigeons are sometimes called 'baldpates' due to the male's pale forehead.
- The name ‘wigeon’ is thought to be derived from the Middle French or Old French words vigeon, vingeon and vignier, meaning “to whine or shout”, which echoes the sharp, piercing whistle made by males of the species.
- Male wigeons are known as drakes. Flocks of wigeons are called ‘bunches’.
Community Photos
Be the first to share a photo of the Eurasian Wigeon
Upload a PhotoRelated Articles
Identify Any Bird Instantly
- Upload a photo from your phone or camera
- Get an instant AI identification
- Ask follow-up questions about the bird
Monthly Birds in Your Area
- Personalised for your location
- Seasonal tips and garden advice
- Updated every month with new species