Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope Dec–Feb

This wigeon is an occasional visitor and a rare sight in Rhode Island. However, they can sometimes be seen mixed in with a flock of American Wigeons, creating a striking contrast in colors. The Eurasian Wigeon has a bright rusty brown head, a light cream colored crown and gray sides. The ones spotted along the east coast are most likely from Iceland as these ducks normally inhabit colder waters in northern Europe and Russia.