Varghese World: March 2015

American Wigeon This duck is reported to be “common and widespread” right across North America, but it took us over four years to get within 100 yards of one. It seems that they can only be seen during migration seasons in the Niagara area, so I guess we weren’t in the right place at the right time . . . until yesterday. We were pleasantly surprised to find this single Wigeon drake mixed in with a small group of Scaups and Mallards at a marina on the Niagara River, near Fort Erie, Ontario. The Wigeon is a medium-sized, small-billed dabbler, not a diver. It’s larger than a teal, but smaller than a pintail. An opportunistic feeder, Wigeons are often seen hanging around other ducks and Coots, feeding on the vegetation they dislodge. They are also frequently seen grazing on land in large flocks. The majority of the Wigeon’s diet is plant material, especially young shoots, roots, and seeds. Waste grains are also an important food source in agricultural areas. The Wigeon's bill is more goose-like than the bill of most dabblers, which facilitates grazing. Females during the breeding season and the young also eat aquatic invertebrates, but aside from that, wigeons are plant-eaters. The American Wigeon was formerly known as a "Baldpate" because the white stripe on his head resembles a bald man's head. They’re also referred to colloquially as “Robber” or “Poacher” ducks, due to their propensity to steal food from other ducks. Niagara River Fort Erie, Ontario Canada

Tuesday, 31 March 2015