Hurray for the Wigeon

And indeed, they do have a distinctive whistle. Listen to this clip you will understand what I mean.

Funny enough, I have always been fascinated by the Wigeon (Anas Penelope). Firstly, the name is quite funny in many languages. Some examples: in Dutch it is called Smient, in German it is called Pfeifente and in French is has the same name (whistle duck): Canard Siffleur. But I think the Danish name is the best: Pibeand (still meaning whistle duck).

It is not only it’s name and it’s whistle that makes this duck so interesting. Because secondly, it does behave like a goose (migratory and feeding on land) and thirdly, the colours are just magnificent.

They breed of course in the summer, but almost nowhere in the UK. They do prefer the northerly parts of Europe, such as Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. They can even be found breeding in Siberia, hence their official name: Eurasian Wigeon.

Their habitat is always close to lakes with plenty of grassland ashore to feed.

There are millions of Wigeons worldwide; they can live for about 15-20 years. With a strong health and no known diseases on record they are not considered to be endangered.

So much for the facts and figures. This blog was actually meant to show some pictures of this beautiful little duck.

This picture was taken in Regent’s Park (London). Although these two are permanent resident, it shows the beautiful colours and pattern the male as well as the female Wigeon has.

Talking of the funny whistle that the Wigeon can produce: the picture on the left was taken in London Wetland Centre and it shows how it produces it sound. The picture on the right is of one of the early females that returned this year to the London Wetland Centre.

To finish this blog, a picture from the penultimate day of last year: many Wigeons grazing like geese on a pasture green.