Mareca americana
December 21, 1996: Malibu Lagoon, Los Angeles, CA
Spotted these birds on the ponds north of the Lagoon. Immediately, I guessed they were wigeons although I’d never seen this species before. Hey, my identification skills are improving!
December 20, 1997: Saddlebrooke, Pinal County, AZ
The golf pond is hosting a large flock of these pretty birds – at least 50 of them. A nice surprise, since I don’t remember seeing waterfowl on the golf course on our last visit.
December 25, 1997: Saddlebrooke, Pinal County, AZ
There were lots of birds at the golf pond, including the large flock of wigeon.
December 31, 1997: Patagonia Lake State Park, Santa Cruz, AZ
A lone female was foraging behind the reeds until she flushed at our approach.
October 2, 2004: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Marin County, CA
Saw a few of these birds on the first pond. Not many, though.
November 25, 2004: Saddlebrooke, Pinal County, AZ
This was the other species present at the pond. The lighting could have been better, but I did get a few photos.
December 4, 2004: MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline-Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda, CA
Saw a couple of these birds in flight over the marsh.
December 11, 2004: MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline-Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda, CA
December 20, 2004: Crown Memorial State Beach Crab Cove, Alameda, CA
January 9, 2005: MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline-Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda, CA
January 22, 2005: Rush Creek Open Space Preserve, Marin County, CA
January 30, 2005: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Marin County, CA
January 30, 2005: Shorebird Marsh overlook, Marin County, CA
February 2, 2005: Waterbird Regional Preserve/McNabney Marsh, Contra Costa County, CA
February 24, 2023: Warm Springs Fish Hatchery, Lake Sonoma
A few wigeon were seen on the pond next to the Visitor Center. I snapped some (out of focus!) photos of them as the rain was beginning to fall in earnest.
Let me know what you think!