Game Birds of the World

Like the American "bald" eagle, the American wigeon has traditionallybeen called the baldpate, in reference to the white feathered area onthe crown or "pate" of the male when in breeding plumage. Americanwigeon is certainly a preferable name, as it is a close relative of theEurasian wigeon and the South American Chiloe wigeon. In all threewigeon species the male has a loud courtship whistle, uttered as his openshis bill widely and points it toward the courted female, while lifting hisfolded wings enough so that the iridescent speculum feathers are visible.

The American wigeon is probably most common as a breeding bird inwestern Canada, especially on lakes or marshes that are surroundedby brushy nesting cover or have sedge-lined meadows for alternativenesting sites. The nests are always extremely well concealed.Incubation by the female requires about 24–25 days. Before hatchingoccurs, the male abandons his mate and sometimes flies considerabledistances before beginning his post-breeding molt and associatedmonth-long flightless period. Depending on geographical location,the ducklings may fledge in as little as 37 days, under the conditionsof perpetual daylight and associated constant foraging in northernareas, or in as much as 48 days in the southern parts of its range. Soonafter fledging the young birds begin their fall migration.