American wigeon (Anas americana)

Continuing the roll call of winter visitors to our shores today's photo is of a pair of American wigeons (Anas americana), the female on the left and the male on the right. These are dabbling ducks like Mallards that find their food in the muck on the bottom in shallow waters close to the shore.

Wigeons

In the bottom right of yesterday's photo you can see the ducks pictured in today's photo. These are Wigeons; most are American Wigeons (Anas americana) but at the rear of the group (see the orange blaze on his head) is a Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope). Though these dabbling ducks are not uncommon winter residents here I have not seen them hanging out along the West Bay Walkway this year until now. I suspect the hard freeze may have frozen the shallow freshwater lakes and ponds they seem to like.

American Wigeon (Anas americana)

Here's another common winter resident, the American Wigeon (Anas americana) (or Widgeon if you prefer). We do see them in the summertime also but there are many more here in the winter. They are almost as ubiquitous as Mallards and share many of the same areas and habits.

American Wigeon (Male)

Ten days ago I posted a photo of a female American Wigeon (Anas americana) taken at Cattle Point. Here is the male of the species, photographed at Esquimalt Lagoon last week.

Wigeons

When I was much younger and lived in a rural area I liked to do a little bird watching from time to time. I also did a little when I lived in Africa but of late, living as I now do in an urban environment I have pretty much ignored the birds on the assumption that the most interesting ones were hiding out in distant forests. I have featured some of our more common city birds on this blog: seagulls, pigeons (Rock Doves), crows, Mallard Ducks, the Great Blue Heron, Hooded Mergansers, and recently, a House Finch. But lately my interest in birding was challenged and resuscitated when I found out that there are over 100 species of birds that can be seen in Victoria and its environs.Above (foreground) is a new acquaintance, the Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope). He's visiting here from much further north and spending some time with his relatives, the American Wigeons (Anas americana)(in the background above and, more clearly, pictured below). These were photographed in Beacon Hill Park a few days ago.