Wigeon

     Wigeons are gorgeous ducks and last Friday I had the pleasure of viewing two wigeon species right here in Brooklyn. At the Salt Marsh Nature Center located in Marine Park, I had the pleasure of seeing some lovely American Wigeon, plus a a special visitor!

In the foreground, an Eurasian Wigeon paddles alongside and American Wigeon. The males differ greatly, the Eurasian sporting that reddish-brown head and the American with that blaze of green from it eye to the back of its head.

The Eurasian Wigeon stray over this way in winter, the ones on our coast most likely from Iceland.

These species do hybridize from time to time and those hybrids look like a pretty spot on mix of the two.

Female American Wigeons are also gorgeous little ducks, their reddish feathers and dark eyes with those cryptic patterns make them just as stunning as their male counterparts. The female Eurasian is similar but more of that reddish-brown color.

A distinguishing feature of both wigeon males is the white/cream stripe down down the front of their face.

Both species have similar feeding habits, plants are yummy!

Happy to add this bird, #113 to my year list.