Wigeon ID - American or Euarasian - RSPB Saltholme (1 Viewer)

IanF · Feb 13, 2017

A very pale Wigeon on Saltholme Pools this morning.

Unfortunately views weren't that good as it was mostly asleep. When it did briefly lift it's head, a male Wigeon moved in front of it.

We couldn't decide if it was just an immature Wigeon or possibly an American Wigeon due to the greyish head, markings and general paleness. It did appear to be slightly larger/bulkier.

Despite watching for close on and hour, there no better views.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

Rotherbirder · Feb 14, 2017

The pale fringed, otherwise uniformly dark grey/brown greater secondary coverts strongly suggests adult female Eurasian.

IanF · Feb 14, 2017

Thanks for the reply.

We were leaning that way but with it being such a pale bird compared to the rest of the Wigeon we weren't entirely certain.

dantheman · Feb 14, 2017

Presumably there's pale/aberrant/leucistic birds, but with actual American Wigeon coming over here and breeding with our Eurasian Wigeon over the years there has to a certain degree of hybrids (of various generation), backcrosses, recessive genes etc.

No way of knowing really though (in females at least)

Wigeon ID - American or Euarasian - RSPB Saltholme (1 Viewer)

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