American Wigeon
Mareca americana (JF Gmelin, 1789)
AW
AMEWI
1800
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
A handful of individuals of this North American duck are recorded every year in Britain; the adult male is distinctive with a green and white head
The American Wigeon was formerly known as "Baldpate" because the white stripe on its crown resembled a bald man's head.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the American Wigeon
BTO RECORDS
Identification
American Wigeon identification is sometimes difficult.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Middlesex, 1838 |
DISTRIBUTION
During Bird Atlas 2007-11
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 33 |
| % occupied in winter | 1.1 |
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +200% |
SEASONALITY
American Wigeon is a rare vagrant, most often recorded in autumn and winter.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about American Wigeon, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: AW | 5-letter code: AMEWI | Euring: 1800 |
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Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Use of Willapa Bay, Washington, by shorebirds and waterfowl after Spartina control efforts
- An artificial nest site for arctic nesting common eiders
- Effects of grazing and inundation on pasture quality and seed production in a salt marsh
Read more studies about American Wigeon on Conservation Evidence >
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