Eurasian Wigeon Calling & Courting
Take a look and listen to this drake Eurasian Wigeon calling and courting some female American Wigeons, off camera. His loud call is one you are not likely to hear over here in North America! This bird is a continuing individual that has spent months in Stratford, Connecticut. Spring waterfowl activity is building up, and I wonder if this guy will actually spend breeding season here. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreAmerican vs. Eurasian Wigeon Race
And we’re off! The race between the American and Eurasian (Wigeons) has the latter taking an early lead, but the vocal American is yelling his way to the front. Take a look at that loud bill action! This Eurasian has a history of racing, with it also besting another American recently as you can see in the other photo.
Read MoreResting Eurasian Wigeon
If you are participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count later this week be mindful of finding rarities like this Eurasian Wigeon in Stratford, Connecticut. You can find the species among American Wigeon most often, like this alert drake looking at me and the camera resting with some of its new American friends. Even when they tuck their heads in to sleep you can find that dark reddish/orange head with the buff-colored crown floating on the water and standing out from the green surrounding it. This upcoming Friday through Monday will be frigid but hopefully very productive birding! Scott...
Read MoreEurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)
Can you identify the rarity in this photo? It is a distant record shot of five birds with the one in the upper right being of the most interest. There are four American Wigeons (Anas americana) and one Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), the latter species being a rare but regular find in the United States. This was the cloudy scene on a small and otherwise unremarkable pond behind a high school in Connecticut earlier this week as the male Eurasian has been hanging out with this American group for a few weeks. All of the ducks were very busy feeding. You never know where unusual birds will...
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