A male American wigeon with a green eye patch swimming. — Photo: Polinova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

American Wigeon

Mareca americana

A noisy North American duck, nicknamed 'baldpate' for the male's white cap, that grazes on land as well as water.

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About the American Wigeon

American wigeons are smaller than mallards, 17 to 23 inches long. Males have a white cap, which gives them the nickname 'baldpate,' and a green patch behind the eye. They live in marshes, lakes and coasts. Unlike most dabbling ducks, wigeons often graze on land, and their short, sturdy bills help them pull up plants. Males whistle like a soft kazoo, while females give low quacks.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Mareca americana^[1]
Size: 17 to 23 inches long; 30- to 36-inch wingspan.^[1]
Lifespan: Usually 2 to 3 years in the wild; the oldest known lived 21 years.^[1]
Diet: Mostly water plants and grasses.^[1]
Habitat: Marshes, lakes, coastlines and nearby grasslands.^[1]
Where it lives: North America.^[1]
Group life: Large winter flocks mixed with other waterfowl.^[1]
Babies: 3 to 13 eggs, incubated for 3 to 4 weeks.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2020).^[2]

Fun facts

Wigeon grass is named after the American wigeon.^[1]
Wigeons are sometimes called robber ducks because they steal food from diving ducks.^[1]
A male wigeon's whistle sounds like a soft kazoo.^[1]

Vocabulary

dabbling duck: A duck that feeds at the water's surface, often tipping its head down and tail up.
migrate: To travel from one region to another with the seasons.
flock: A group of birds that travel or feed together.
clutch: A group of eggs laid at one time.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Bird HouseSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “American wigeon.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-wigeon (accessed 2026-10-08)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Mareca americana (American Wigeon).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22680163/137010293 (accessed 2026-10-08)

Facts last checked 2026-10-08.

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