Widgeon
| Wigeons | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male (rear) and female (front) Eurasian wigeons. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Anas |
| Subgenus: | Mareca |
| Species | |
The wigeons or widgeons are dabbling ducks in the genus Anas.
There are three extant species: the Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope), the American wigeon (A. americana) and the Chiloé wigeon (A. sibilatrix). A fourth species, the Amsterdam wigeon (Anas marecula), became extinct in the 19th century. The wigeons are closely related to the gadwall and the falcated duck.
All three wigeons are similarly shaped, with a steep forehead and bulbous rear to the head. Males have a distinctive breeding plumage, in their eclipse plumage they resemble females, which are similar in appearance year-round. The three species' closest relatives within the genus Anas are the gadwall and the falcated duck. All three wigeon species hybridise in captivity while American and Eurasian wigeons hybridise in the wild. An American wigeon × mallard hybrid has also been recorded.
The American wigeon was formerly called the baldpate by ornithologists, and some people still use that name, especially hunters.
The diet of the wigeon consists mainly of grass leaves (~80%), other food types eaten are seeds (~10%) and roots and stems (~5%).
Photographs of hybrid wigeons can be seen here and here.
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Wikipedia