Tuesday, March 12, 2013

American Wigeon/Wild Bird

Male American wigeon (Anas americana)

At least one large flock of American wigeons spent the winter on the north side of Lake Ontario. My husband and I could see them out in the lake but Friday was the first time I was able to get this close. Isn't the male handsome in his breeding feathers?

Side view of male

American wigeons are nice looking dabbler ducks but they are not always nice. They sometimes steal vegetation from diving ducks when the divers come up to the surface.

Female

Wigeons are most often seen in marshes and wet grasslands.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

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43 comments:

  1. CindyMarch 12, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Very handsome male and beautiful female. First time I've seen these ducks.

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  2. Buttons ThoughtsMarch 12, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    So it is not a very nice bird but it sure is pretty works for me:) B

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  3. AnonymousMarch 12, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    Beautiful, such detail!

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  4. MadSnapperMarch 12, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    love all the details of the feathers..

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  5. JanetMarch 12, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    Quite striking!

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  6. DarlaMarch 12, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    Such detailed photos. Just look at natures designs. What a pretty bird.

    Darla

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  7. LowellMarch 12, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    These little things steal veggies from other little ducks. Hey, a wigeon's got to live, too!

    You certainly got some very fine photos - I esp. like that first shot--it's so clean and crisp and shows off those breeding feathers very well!

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  8. JillMarch 12, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    They are darling!

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  9. Sweet WoodruffMarch 12, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    Breathtaking and beautiful as always. Ducks are a favorite.

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  10. TexWisGirlMarch 12, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    very pretty! nice shots!

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  11. KathyMarch 12, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    Great closeups!

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  12. KarenMarch 12, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Handsome ducks, and great shots!

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  13. AnonymousMarch 12, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    I've never seen this duck, although, it does share some similarities with mallards, both male and female. Very nice looking ducks!

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  14. Muffy's MarksMarch 12, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    Beautiful ducks.

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  15. Susan AndersonMarch 12, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    I always love looking at your close-ups of birds. Never realized how truly beautiful they all are.

    =)

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  16. StephanieMarch 12, 2013 at 11:54 AM

    Nice details on the feathers.

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  17. The CrankyMarch 12, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I'd seen these lovely fowl before but never knew what they were called until now.

    Thanks so much for your encouraging comment.

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  18. Cheryl @ TFDMarch 12, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    I'm always amazed at the beautiful markings on most ducks. This pair is beautiful!

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  19. LONDONLULUMarch 12, 2013 at 1:10 PM

    I love their unusual (to me) pattern, a sweet ducky pair today!

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  20. RedPatMarch 12, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    I've never seen these guys! Great shots.

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  21. SnowcatcherMarch 12, 2013 at 3:08 PM

    Truly a beautiful bird. Interesting about them stealing food from diving ducks.

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  22. Pamela GordonMarch 12, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    This is a new duck to me and I think that both the male and female are attractive, although the male more so. Nice captures!

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  23. Ruth HiebertMarch 12, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Gorgeous portrait of that male. Oh my goodness,this picture is so lovely.

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  24. JackMarch 12, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    I like your first photo. Widgeon ducks? I have not heard of them before.

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  25. mickMarch 12, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    Great photos of beautiful ducks.

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  26. eileeninmdMarch 12, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    The Wigeons are pretty ducks, great shots of the male and female.

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  27. Gail DixonMarch 12, 2013 at 5:50 PM

    So pretty! Lucky you to get so close. I saw this duck when I lived in Texas, but not since. I need to see if they winter, migrate, or live around here.

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  28. HansHBMarch 12, 2013 at 6:01 PM

    Lovely photos, nice to see!

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  29. Wally JonesMarch 12, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    Very nice photographs! These are pretty ducks, despite their bad habits!
    We only see them here in Florida during the winter.

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  30. NatureFootstepMarch 12, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    I think both male and female looks gorgeous. This is a very small duck, right? We have a similar one but it will take at least a month before they arrive.

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  31. Grandma Barb's This and ThatMarch 12, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    The male is a handsome fella and she is very pretty. great photos!

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  32. 42NMarch 12, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    Wow, absolutely beautiful photos. Great work!

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  33. KusumMarch 12, 2013 at 9:44 PM

    Very beautiful bird, similar to mallard?

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  34. GeorgeMarch 12, 2013 at 11:14 PM

    These are great portraits of these ducks. It's just too bad they are not always nice.

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  35. Gillian OlsonMarch 13, 2013 at 12:06 AM

    Great close ups, I never realized they sometimes steal food from other birds.

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  36. CarlettaMarch 13, 2013 at 12:11 AM

    He is handsome in his many patterned plumes and she is quite lovely too in her brown finery!

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  37. IndraniMarch 13, 2013 at 3:05 AM

    Very detailed lovely captures.

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  38. UnknownMarch 13, 2013 at 10:01 AM

    Beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  39. i stora dragMarch 13, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Nice to see your ducks! They looks a bit like ours in Sweden.
    Greetings Pia

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  40. Sallie (FullTime-Life)March 13, 2013 at 5:02 PM

    Just an elegant duck! And your pictures are perfect.

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  41. Esther JoyMarch 13, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    What interesting ducks! I've never seen any that look anything like that! Southern Arkansas, especially Stuttgart, gets many ducks that winter there. I need to visit there sometime and check out all their varieties!

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  42. Stewart MMarch 15, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    Great bird.

    If they are like the ones in the UK they make a wonderful whistling call.

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  43. RoseMarch 21, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    Another that doesn't look quite real!

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