Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), Sweetwater Wetlands, Pima County

This female or first cycle male Eurasian Wigeon was discovered by Jerry Bock on 25 November 2011 and photographed shortly after discovery by Laurens Halsey.

Eurasian Wigeon is rare in Arizona, although it is found regularly in a limited number of specific locations, often in urban ponds with large flocks of American Wigeon. Most reports are of easily identified breeding plumaged males and there are very few records of birds in other plumages. Part of this is certainly that they are overlooked, but there may also be an actual bias for males to occur in the state. All female plumaged wigeon should be studied carefully.

Overall uniform brownish. Rusty-brown head darker than brownish breast, pinkish-brown sides & flanks. Dark gray-brown scapulars with indistinct rusty-brown edges, no internal markings on these feathers visible. Sweep forehead & flat crowned appearance. Fairly long wings: longest primary reaches nearly to end of tail (greater than three-quarter tail). For more on female Eurasian Wigeon identification see the AZFO Id challenge here.

25 November 2011, photo by Laurens Halsey

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