WIGEON

Short billed, short legged noisy flocks of Wigeon graze on land or swim, rising up as one when they are disturbed. The male has a black and white rear-end, a red/brown head with pale forehead, pinkish breast and a yellow streak on top of its head down to the start of its beak. The female is barred/spotted and grey/brown to tawny with a greyer head. Around 470,000 Wigeons visit the UK between September and March and can be found on estuaries, lakes and wet meadows.

Length: 45-51cm (18-20in)

Wingspan: 75-86cm (30-34in)

Weight: 500-900g (18-32oz)

Lifespan: Up to 15 years