Anas americana. AMWI. I almost always hear this duck before I see it. It has a high-pitched 3-syllable, almost whinny-like sound. American Wigeon have short bluish bills with black at the far end and a black outline on the face end. Adult males have a white or buffy crown ("bald pate"), with a green 'swoosh'-shape behind its eye that continues on down to its body. Otherwise the rest of its head, is grayish which contrasts with its flanks which are warmer orange-toned. The female and juvenile have an entirely grayish round head with a dark smudge behind its eye. Both males and females have a whitish belly and dark gray legs, as well as a fairly pointed tail. They are about 20" long, which makes them a bit smaller than a Mallard.
This is a winter duck for us on the west coast of North America. Wigeons are dabbling ducks that pick aquatic plants from the surface, and like freshwater marshes, shallow pond, lakes, tidal bays, and agricultural land where they graze on short grass.
More information can be found at http://www.allaboutbirds.com.
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