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While watching the gulls on 3 January
2016, we saw
this female wigeon amongst the large flock of Mallards.
This bird was initially proposed to be a
possible Eurasian Wigeon. To obtain input on its identification,
Alvaro Jaramillo posted photos on Facebook's Advanced Bird ID and
Ontario Birds. Subsequent comments favour American Wigeon based on
head coloration, shape and other characters. Dan McLain says: "dark
gape line, more colorful sides, and white bar on the wing. It is
likely a first year. The scapulars are also not as widely or warmly
edged as Eurasian Wigeon." Frank Pinilla provided additional photos
and analysis. |
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We also asked Bruce Mactavish, St.
Johns, Newfoundland to comment as he sees many Eurasian Wigeons in
St. Johns every winter. "It's an American Wigeon by deciding on the
background colour of the head. Is it brown or gray? On this bird all
the pictures show a grayish head making it an American Wigeon." |
