Wigeon
Name given to some birds in the genus Mareca
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The wigeons or widgeons are a group of birds, dabbling ducks currently classified in the genus Mareca along with two other species. There are three extant species of wigeon, in addition to one recently extinct species.
| Wigeons | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male (rear) and female (front) Eurasian wigeons. | |
| Eurasian wigeon calls recorded in Dorset, England | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Mareca |
| Wigeon species | |
Biology
There are three extant species: the Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope; formerly Anas penelope), the American wigeon (M. americana; formerly A. americana) and the Chiloé wigeon (M. sibilatrix; formerly A. sibilatrix). A fourth species, the Amsterdam wigeon (M. marecula; formerly A. marecula), became extinct in the 19th century. The wigeons' closest relatives, forming with them the genus Mareca, are the Gadwall and the Falcated Duck.[1][2]
All three wigeons are similarly shaped, with a steep forehead and bulbous rear to the head. All three wigeon species hybridise in captivity[3] while American and Eurasian wigeons hybridise in the wild.[4] An American Wigeon × Mallard hybrid has also been recorded.[5]
The American wigeon was formerly called the baldpate by ornithologists, and some people still use that name, especially hunters.
The diet of the wigeon consists mainly of grass leaves (~80%); other food types eaten are seeds (~10%) and roots and stems (~5%).[6]
Wigeons were formerly classified in the genus Anas but following a study in 2009 five extant species (3 species of wigeon, plus gadwall and falcated duck) were transferred to the resurrected genus Mareca.[7]
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