Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), Encanterra Country Club, Pinal County

This Eurasian Wigeon was discovered and photographed by Eric Hough on 18 January 2014

Eurasian Wigeon has become something of a "Scottsdale Specialty." The urban ponds in that 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. Features of a pure Eurasian Wigeon are  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.

18 January 2014, photo by Eric Hough

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