6 Types of Wigeons You Should Know

Wigeons are a group of medium-sized dabbling ducks known for their rounded heads, short bills, and distinctive whistling calls. They belong to the genus Mareca and are commonly found in wetlands such as lakes, marshes, and coastal lagoons.

Being dabbling ducks, they feed by tipping forward in the water to graze on aquatic plants just below the surface. They are also well known for grazing on land, often feeding on grasses in fields, which is somewhat unusual for ducks.

If you have been in the birding space for some time, you’ve likely come across a few different types of wigeons—or ducks that are commonly referred to as wigeons. But how many can you actually name and identify? Below are some of the most well-known wigeon species you should be familiar with.

1. Eurasian Wigeon

The Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope), also known as the European Wigeon, is a duck species found across the Old World. The breeding male is quite distinctive, with a chestnut-coloured head and a pale creamy crown on top. Its body is mostly grey on the flanks and back, with a black rear end and a pinkish breast that contrasts with a white belly. One of its most noticeable features is the bright white wing patch, which can be seen clearly both when the bird is resting and in flight.

Outside the breeding season, males go through a duller eclipse plumage where they begin to resemble females more closely, making identification more difficult. Females are generally light brown overall and look fairly similar to female American Wigeon, which can lead to confusion between the two species.

This species breeds in the northern parts of Europe and the Palearctic region and is highly migratory, moving south during the colder months. In winter, it travels to regions such as southern Asia and Africa, where it spends the non-breeding season.

2. American Wigeon

The American Wigeon (Mareca americana), sometimes called the “baldpate,” is very closely related to the Eurasian Wigeon, and the two species look so similar that they are often difficult to tell apart, especially for less experienced birders.

The male American Wigeon is a striking bird, best known for its bold head pattern. It has a pale cream-coloured crown that runs down the top of the head toward the bill, which is what gives it the name “baldpate.” Around the eyes, it shows a green facial patch that contrasts with the lighter head. The body is mostly grey, but the belly is bright white, and in flight the male reveals large white patches on the shoulders that stand out clearly as the wings move.

Females are much more subtle in appearance. They are mainly grey and brown, which helps them blend into their surroundings. Both males and females have a pale bluish bill with a black tip, along with grey legs and a white belly. The wing markings in females are less bold, with a more muted grey patch instead of the bright white seen in males.

This species is common and widespread across much of North America. It breeds in large parts of Canada and the United States, especially in central and western regions, and is well adapted to a variety of wetland habitats.

3. Chiloé Wigeon

The Chiloé Wigeon (Mareca sibilatrix), also known as the Southern Wigeon, is the third living species of wigeon in the genus Mareca. It is native to the southern regions of South America, including the Chiloé Archipelago, which is where it gets its name.

This species is one of the more visually striking wigeons. It has a distinctive head pattern featuring an iridescent green-blue crown, white cheeks and forehead, and a contrasting black neck and rear head area. The eyes are dark, and the face includes a clear white patch near the ear region. The bill is bluish-grey with a black tip, adding to its sharp and clean appearance.

The body plumage is also quite detailed. The breast shows a barred pattern of black and white, while the wings are mainly grey and white. Males typically have rust-coloured flanks, whereas females show lighter brown tones in the same area. The legs and feet are grey in both sexes.

Sexual differences in this species are relatively subtle compared to other wigeons. Males are generally slightly larger and show more vivid colouring, especially in the iridescent head feathers, while females appear a bit duller overall.

4. Storm Wigeon

A “Storm Wigeon” is not a separate species of wigeon, but rather a rare colour variation of the American Wigeon. In every other respect—size, shape, behaviour, and habitat—it is the same bird as a typical American Wigeon. The only difference lies in its appearance, which is caused by an unusual genetic variation that affects feather pigmentation, particularly around the head and neck.

In a normal American Wigeon, the face and neck usually appear grey with fine speckling, giving the bird a slightly textured and mottled look. In a Storm Wigeon, much of this speckling is reduced or completely absent. As a result, the face appears much paler, often creamy white or light golden in tone, and in some cases this lighter colouring can extend down into the neck as well. This creates a noticeably cleaner and brighter appearance compared to the typical form, making these individuals stand out quite strongly in a flock.

5. Amsterdam Wigeon

The fifth type of wigeon you are likely to hear birders talk about is Amsterdam wigeon.

The Amsterdam Wigeon (Mareca marecula) is an extinct species of wigeon that was once endemic to Île Amsterdam in the French Southern Territories. Unlike the living wigeon species, it is only known from subfossil bones and historical accounts, as it disappeared long before it could be properly studied by naturalists.

Evidence suggests that this was a very small, flightless duck with reduced wings and strong legs, adaptations that likely developed in isolation on the island. Its extinction is believed to have been caused by human activity, particularly visiting sealers, as well as invasive rats introduced from ships, which would have severely impacted its survival.

Based on skeletal remains, the Amsterdam Wigeon is thought to have had features somewhat similar to other wigeons, including a short, pointed bill, but its overall biology was quite unique due to its insular, flightless nature. A few historical reports from the late 18th century also mention small ducks on nearby islands, which may have been related, but no confirmed living population was ever recorded before it went extinct.

6. Cape Wigeon (Cape Teal)

Finally, another duck that is usually referred to as a wigeon though it is not a true wigeon is the Cape teal aka Cape wigeon.

Taxonomically, it belongs to the genus Anas, which includes many typical dabbling ducks such as Mallards and other teals. True wigeons, by contrast, are placed in the genus Mareca, so the Cape Teal sits outside the wigeon group in modern classification. Its association with wigeons is mainly due to superficial similarities in appearance and feeding behaviour rather than true evolutionary relationship.

This species is generally pale and grey in overall coloration, with a browner back and a distinctive pink patch on the bill in adults, while younger birds lack this pink colouring. Like many southern African ducks, males and females are fairly similar in appearance. The species is relatively quiet outside the breeding season, but males produce a clear whistling call during displays, while females give a softer, weaker quack.

The Cape Teal is widely distributed but thinly spread across its range and is largely non-migratory, although it may move locally in response to rainfall patterns. It is usually seen in small numbers, except during moulting periods when it can gather in larger flocks that may reach into the thousands.