Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), Scottsdale, Maricopa County

This Eurasian Wigeon was discovered and photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben on 11 December 2009 in Scottsdale, in a series of small ponds (at the edge of a neighborhood) at the southwest corner of Hayden and Jackrabbit Roads, across the street from Chaparral Park.

Eurasian Wigeon has become something of a "Scottsdale Specialty." The urban ponds in this city attract a few Eurasian Wigeon among large flocks of American Wigeon every winter. Away from Scottsdale Eurasian Wigeon is a casual winter visitor to the rest of the state.

Hybrids between Eurasian and American Wigeon are frequent in Arizona and must be carefully separated from pure Eurasians.   Note the pure gray sides of this bird which sharply contrast with the pinkish breast,  the solid rufous head and the lack of a black line at the base of the bill which indicate this bird is not a hybrid.

11 December 2009, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben