American Wigeon

Just as ice cream comes in many more flavours than just vanilla, ducks come in many more flavours than just “Mallard.” The American Wigeon is, however, a flavour similar to Mallard: both belong to the same genus, have iridescent green on their heads, and are dabbling ducks. Dabbling ducks stick their heads underwater and their bums in the air to feed on aquatic plants (while diving ducks, such as mergansers and goldeneyes, will dive completely underwater to eat fish and invertebrates). Also like Mallards, American Wigeons are quite chatty. Larger flocks can be heard from a good distance, but instead of the plebeian Mallard quack quack quack they have an adorable squeaky whistle.

This bird I saw on December 4 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. (The Reifels migrated from Europe in the early 20^th century and made their fortune bootlegging liquor to the States during prohibition, as well as farming sugar beets on Westham Island. Their descendant sold the family estate to the government on the conditions that it would continue to be used to protect wild birds, and be named after his father, George.) He – the bird, not George – was repeatedly taking flight from the water, only to circle back and land just where he had been. He was probably trying to impress the ladies, though I didn’t notice any female wigeons paying him any attention.  

For the record, I don't have anything against Mallards. Just look at that pretty face.