Date: 1/8/26 4:36 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Eurasian Wigeon vs. hybrids
Penbirders,
There have been a couple of adult male Eurasian Wigeons reported this year in San Mateo county that have turned out to be EurasianXAmerican Wigeon hybrids. I’ve been conferring with experts about these birds.
This link shows photos of Eurasian Wigeons. https://ebird.org/species/eurwig The photo of the adult male from this link is an excellent example of what an adult male Eurasian wigeon, should look like.
Below are some characteristics for what adult male Eurasian Wigeon should show. There are other characters, but these are the most obvious and important ones to look for:
• Rufous head and face with the same quality of saturated rufous color and texture both above the eye as well as on the cheek. Can be slightly darker rufous around the eye, but cheeks should not be paler, nor show a grainier look, than the area above and behind the eye as those can indicate an American Wigeon trait.
• A golden-yellow toned forehead extending to the center of the crown – a pale whitish tan forecrown on a rufous head can point to an American trait.
• Breast pink and sharply demarcated, contrasting with completely gray appearing flanks.
• Gray appearing flanks are actually finely vermiculated whitish and blackish feathering, and should show no pinkish/rufous wash.
• Back should appear Gray with no rufous or pink wash.
• There should be no strong vertical black border at the base of the bill on an adult male Eurasian Wigeon as that is an American Wigeon trait.
*EurasianXAmerican Wigeon hybrids will show mixed traits of both species.*
When seeing red-headed adult wigeons at a far distance on the water it can sometimes be impossible to discern some of the traits that will help clarify the ID. Also photos taken in poor or less than optimal conditions can add artifacts that aren’t there or obscure traits that are there. But knowing what to look for and with experience, training the eye over time, can help. Consider that some birds viewed in less optimal circumstances should sometimes be left unidentified.
Best case scenario is to see these birds up close if possible.
A good waterfowl specific reference is “Waterfowl of North America, Europe and Asia” An Identification Guide by Se’bastien
Reeber
