Eurasian Wigeon

Erika and I are always delighted when we spy an Eurasia Wigeon, like this one on 18 October 2021 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. These ducks are abundant across the northern climes of the Old World, but, in the winter, are increasingly seen in Canada, the United States, and even northern Mexico. We find them every winter here in Olympia. This October bird is a bit oddly plumaged. I can find no similar photos or illustrations. Perhaps this is a young male or a male emerging from eclipse plumage. A hybrid with an American Wigeon is also a possibility. We took the second photo, of a more typical male, at the refuge on 12 March 2021.