Waterfowl Identification in the Central Flyway
American Wigeon (Baldpate)
Male - Winter
Body: Medium sized duck, 1 1/2 - 2 pounds, 18-20 inches long. Pinkish brown back and sides. White belly. Crown white or buffy. Glossy green eye-mask. Bill short, grayish blue with black tip and base. Feet grayish blue.Wings: Greater and middle coverts form white shoulder. Speculum glossy green shading to black. Voice: Whistle repeated in threes. In Flight: White belly. White wing-shoulder. White head-crown and black rump evident.
Male - Fall
Ranging in appearance from mottled pinkish brown over back and sides to blotchy near-winter coloration. Crown and eye-mask faintly evident. Bill, feet and wings same as in winter.
Female - All Seasons
Body: Mottled brown. Distinct white belly. Head grayish with dark speckles. Short grayish blue bill with dark tip. Feet grayish blue. Wings: Lesser, middle and greater coverts brownish, edged distinctively in white. Speculum dull greenish black. Voice: Qua-awk.
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