Description Originally called the Baldpate Ducks because of the white strip on their head that resembles a bald man’s head. The male can grow 18-22" in length and has a faint blue beak with a black tip, and a white under belly with a dark brown back. Their sides and breast are a reddish brownish color and their cheeks are a light gray. Males also have a white crown over their head and a green mask over their eyes which makes them easy to to spot in marshes and wetlands. The females are very similar in color to males but do not have the green mask or the white crown. They have smaller amounts of white in them and the posterior color is mostly black.

Lifecycle During breeding season the males have a shiny green plumage to impress a potential mate. Females make a nest near the water from dry, coarse veggie matter and lay six to twelve white spotted eggs. The females alone incubate the eggs, also known as the clutch, for 22- 25 days. The males however partcipate for the first or second week of incubation. After hatching the young birds fledge in 37- 48 days and are reared by the female. If the nest is threatened, the female feigns injury to distract the threat while the offspring scatter. Once the young are well hidden, the female flies away.

Habitat The American Widgeon has numerous habitats and climates for migration and breeding and can be found throughout North America and up to Northern Alaska. Late summer and early fall it will migrate south for winter to large inland wetlands. They are commonly found grazing on land, however they do spend more time than other dabbling ducks in deep water. After breeding, when males leave their mates, they migrate to open lakes where they join other males and molt. Once the flightless molt period is complete, the true fall migration is gradual, lasting from late July through December.

Diet The American Wigeon primarily feeds on marsh plants, algae, insects, sea foliage and mollusks. is also known as the "American Stealer". It steals its food is by waiting for another diving bird to surface with its catch, and then suddenly snatches it from the other bird’s beak.