Wigeon  (Anas penelope)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Although there is a population that winters along the east coast of the USA, most wigeon are Eurasian birds, ranging from the Mediterranean north to Scandinavia, Russia and Siberia, north to the Barents Sea. These northern populations migrate south to spend winter in southern Europe and the UK. The birds also breed in northern Britain, principally in the Scottish uplands.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Wigeons breed on upland moors near shallow lochs, and occasionally on coastal marshes. Outside the breeding season, they congregate around estuaries, coastal lagoons, reservoirs and lakes with close access to grazing meadows.

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