Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:
B138

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B108, B128.w1 B128.w2).
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Dabbling Ducks
• Wigeon

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Grazing Waterfowl (D1)

Aviculture information

Notes

• Dabbling Ducks are generally hardy, easy to maintain and easy to breed. Shelter may be required by some of the smaller species in winter. They should be provided with cover (including marginal pond cover) and loafing areas as well as water. A pen which is 50% water is suggested. The water may be shallow (i.e. no more than two feet deep is required), and muddy areas for dabbling in are also appreciated. These ducks are generally good in mixed collections, although the smaller and quieter species may be bullied. Territorial disputes between ducks of the same species may be avoided by keeping only one pair of each species in an enclosure, unless the area is very large. For a single pair of ducks a pen are of 50 to 100 square metres, depending on the size of duck, should be provided.
• A diet based on wheat and pellets is suggested, with maintenance pellets changed to breeders pellets for the breeding season. Bread and greenfood are also appreciated. Grit should always be available, with soluble grit (e.g. oystershell grit) as a calcium source when breeding.
• Most species are ground nesters and both close ground cover and ground level nest boxes should be provided. Hand-rearing is generally preferred, as these ducks are generally poor parents in captive conditions, particularly in enclosures shared with other waterfowl. These ducks are prone to hybridization, particularly with closely related species, which should be kept apart from one another.
• Wigeon are grazing species and should be provided with a sward of short grass, with extra green food provided if sufficient grass is not available.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Eurasian wigeon are winter-hardy, non-aggressive, and suitable for a mixed collection with a good grazing area and large water areas; they should also be provided with also cover and a loafing area. Feed with wheat, pellets, greenfood, grass, bread: good grazing is essential, and extra greenfood in the spring for breeding.
• These ducks are fairly easy to breed; they require good ground cover for nesting and may also use a ground-level box. They lay mainly end of April to June. They may incubate if undisturbed, but are at risk from predators including hedgehogs. Ducklings are not difficult to rear; suggested feed duckweed, finely chopped grass, aquatic insects and water plants in addition to rearing feed.
• Readily hybridise with Anas americana - American wigeon - should not be kept in same enclosure; also frequently hybridise with other Anas spp. and hybridisation has also been reported with Aix sponsa - Wood duck, Aythya fuligula - Tufted duck, Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard, Melanitta nigra - Black scoter.

(B7, B29, B31, B40, B94, B96, B97, B108, B128.w2,B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: J 9.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Wings have tertials elongated, pointed, black with white edging, primaries and their coverts grey-brown, speculum formed by secondaries: glossy green, shading to black ends; coverts white with black tips to greater coverts.

Eclipse: Similar to female but richer chestnut brown and retains wing pattern.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Female leaves brood when fledged.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

• Iceland, northern Europe, northern Asia.

• In London: In the London Area, "common winter visitor, with occasional summer records." There may be 2,000 or more individuals in this area during the winter months of December and January, but few in Inner London (e.g. in 2000, a single record at Lambeth Bridge in October). (J322.65.w1)

Movements:

• Mostly migrate to lower latitudes for winter western and central Europe, Mediterranean Basin, Middle East, India, South East Asia, Japan.
• British population sedentary.
• Small numbers to Atlantic coast of North America.

• Occasionally breeds in Faeroes, Iceland, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Italy.

• Accidental to Jan Mayen, Bear Island, Spitsbergen, Kuwait, Rio de Oro, Azores, Madeira.

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Habitat

Winter: coastal marshes, fresh and brackish lagoons, sheltered coasts e.g. estuaries, bays.

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Abundant and stable.

• This species is listed on Schedule 2 - Part I (Birds which may be killed or taken outside the close season, 1 February to 31 August except where indicated otherwise: Notes on the revised schedules state "NOTE: The close season for ducks and geese when below high water mark is 21 February to 31 August") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 3 - Part 3 (Birds which may be sold alive at all times if ringed and bred in captivity: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds which may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February (NB: It is illegal to offer for sale at any time of the year any wild goose, moorhen, gadwall or goldeneye, although they are legitimate quarry species outside the close season)) of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade