American Widgeon

(Mareca americana)

Conservation Status
American Widgeon
Photo by Ramona Abrego
  IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

     
  NatureServe

N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding

SNRB - Unranked Breeding

     
  Minnesota

not listed

     
           
           
 
Description
 
 

 

 
     
 

Size

 
 

18 to 22½ in length

32 wingspan

 
     
 

Voice

 
   
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Shallow wetlands, lake edges, ponds

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Migration

 
 

Early March to early June and mid-August to mid-December

 
     
 

Nesting

 
 

 

 
     
 

Food

 
 

 

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common migrant, uncommon breeder

 
         
 

Maps

 
 

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Aves (birds)  
 

Order

Anseriformes (waterfowl)  
 

Family

Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans)  
  Subfamily Anatinae (dabbling ducks)  
 

Genus

Mareca (wigeons and allies)  
       
 

This species was originally placed in the genus Anas. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2009 showed that the genus contained members with different evolutionary ancestors – it was polyphyletic. The genus was split into four new genera. This species and four others were placed in the resurrected genus Mareca.

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Anas americana

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

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Ramona Abrego

 
    American Widgeon   American Widgeon  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           
           

 

Camera

 

     
 
Slideshows
 
American Wigeon
Allen Chartier
  American Wigeon  
American Wigeon
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
  American Wigeon  
American Wigeon
JMC Nature Photos
  American Wigeon  
     

 

slideshow

       
 
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Other Videos
 
  American Wigeon (Mareca americana), Caerlaverock WWT 13/03/10
Gavin Chambers
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Mar 15, 2010

American Wigeon at Caerlaverock WWT on the Whooper Pond. Also its European Cousins at the end.

   
  American Wigeons (Mareca americana)
Wandering Sole TV
 
   
 
About

Published on Jul 3, 2012

American Wigeons (Mareca americana) on Wascana Creek.

   
  American Wigeon
rank Blangeard
 
   
 
About

Published on Nov 22, 2012

These wigeon, Mareca americana, were seen at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland, Oregon on Thanksgiving day, 2012. A female ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris, also appears in the video. Taken with a Sony DSC-HX20V.

   
  American Widgeon Brood of Ducks in Northern Minnesota
Clayton Will
 
   
 
About

Published on Aug 17, 2012

This brood of ducks entertained us off and on during our week of vacation in the North Woods

   
  American Wigeon
rickeymoose
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Feb 23, 2011

Several pair of American Wigeons were found at Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park.

   
       

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

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  Ramona Abrego
1/21/2019

Location: Becker County

American Widgeon  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
   

 

 

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