Widgeon Drake Protrait
by Mitch Shindelbower
Title
Widgeon Drake Protrait
Artist
Mitch Shindelbower
Medium
Photograph
Description
The American wigeon is a medium-sized bird; it is larger than a teal, but smaller than a pintail. In silhouette, the wigeon can be distinguished from other dabblers by its round head, short neck, and small bill.[6] It is 42–59 cm (17–23 in) long, with a 76–91 cm (30–36 in) wingspan and a weight of 512–1,330 g (1.129–2.932 lb).[7][8][9] This wigeon has two adult molts per year and a juvenile molt in the first year, as well.[7]
The breeding male (drake) is a striking bird with a mask of green feathers around its eyes and a cream colored cap running from the crown of its head to its bill. This white patch gives the wigeon its other common name, baldpate (pate is another word for head).[10][11] Their belly is also white.[12] In flight, drakes can be identified by the large white shoulder patch on each wing. These white patches flash as the birds bank and turn. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female.[6]
The hens are much less conspicuous, having primarily gray and brown plumage. Both sexes have a pale blue bill with a black tip, a white belly, and gray legs and feet.[6] The wing patch behind the speculum is gray. They can be distinguished from most ducks, apart from Eurasian wigeon, by shape. However, that species has a darker head and all grey underwing. The head and neck coloring of the female is different as opposed to the Eurasian wigeon.[12] It nests on the ground, near water and under cover. It lays 6–12 creamy white eggs. Flocks will often contain American coots.[7]
The American wigeon is a noisy species, and in the field can often be identified by their distinctive calls. Drakes produce a three note whistle, while hens emit hoarse grunts and quacks.[6] The male whistle makes a wheezy whoee-whoe-whoe, whereas the female has a low growl qua-ack.
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August 29th, 2021
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Comments (13)
Don Columbus
Congratulations, your work is Featured in "Birds In Focus" I invite you to place it in the group's "2020-2021 Featured Image Archive" Discussion
Randy Rosenberger
It is with great pleasure that I announce to you a big congratulations for this chosen piece of your artwork to be on special display on the homepage of our community of friends and fine artists, in our Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. I appreciate your activity in our group and want to thank you so much for being an active participant in helping promote other fine artists within the group. Usually in turn, such promotions bring promotions of your artwork into perspective and are featured on our homepage. One good turn deserves another. Your quality, definition, character, and variation in your works bring about a visual pleasure to view and share with others. Thanks for your participation in our family of friends and fine artists in our WFS group.