American Wigeon

When Erika and I visited the Billy Frank Jr. National Wildlife Refuge on 4 December 2020, the tide was high. Many of the waterfowl we listed, like these two drake along with a hen American Wigeon, were asleep. The high tide may be a good time for sleep. Mammalian predators may not be easily able to approach the birds—and the birds may have more limited foraging opportunities in the deep water.