Puddle Duck
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
All species Open the planner
The 'baldpate' — whistling grazers that pirate their food.
2026 population status
-8% vs. last year
Still above the long-term average.
See the full 2026 survey numbers →Identification
- Drake: white/cream crown ('bald pate'), green eye mask, pinkish-brown body, bold white flank patch.
- Hen: warm gray-brown with a grayer head and a pale blue bill with a black tip.
- Distinctive three-note whistle — 'whee-whee-whew' — a giveaway on the wing.
Habitat
Shallow marsh, flooded pasture, and grassy edges — grazers that also raft on open water.
Behavior
Trade in fast, whistling flocks and often steal vegetation other divers bring up. Circle high, then drop into shallow, grassy sheetwater.
Decoy setup
Puddle-duck floaters with a few wigeon in the mix on shallow water near grass. They respond well to visible white and a relaxed spread.
Calling
The drake's three-note whistle pulls them like nothing else — whistle, don't quack.
What gets them moving
Cold frontsFresh flooded grassWind
Ready to set up on american wigeon?
Build a decoy spread and blind plan for your water and today's wind.
Latest from the Community
