Eurasian wigeon
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An illustration based on the real animal.
A little discovery to share.
The Eurasian wigeon’s bill is said to be shaped for tearing grass.
THE REAL WORLD
The real Eurasian wigeon
- Scientific name
- Mareca penelope
- Japanese name
- ヒドリガモ
- Group
- Birds
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Mareca
A migratory bird that comes to Japan in winter from cold eastern Russia. It can be seen on rivers and coasts, and even on ponds in big cities.
In the breeding season, the male's head turns a vivid reddish-brown, with cream from the base of its bill up over the top of its head.
It mostly eats waterside plants, such as their seeds and leaves. Near the sea, it sometimes eats seaweed too.
How the Eurasian wigeon lives
At its wintering grounds, it spends the day mainly at sea or on broad lakes and similar waters. It sometimes tears off and eats grass leaves while walking. At night it flies to rice fields and marshes.
国土交通省 中国地方整備局Basic data
- Size
- Total length: 42–50 cm
- Diet
- Plant seeds and leaves, coastal seaweed, and other foods
- Range
- Japan, Siberia, and Europe
Where the Eurasian wigeon has been recorded
Records: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY 4.0 records, retrieved 2026-11-07). Map: Natural EarthSee the records on GBIF
Watch wild animals from a distance. Do not touch or feed them, and take care of the places where they live.
Names around the world
- 日本語
- ヒドリガモ
- 简体中文
- 赤颈鸭
- 繁體中文
- 赤頸鴨
- 한국어
- 홍머리오리
- Español
- Silbón europeo
- Français
- Canard siffleur
- Deutsch
- Pfeifente
- Português (Brasil)
- Piadeira
- Italiano
- Fischione
- हिन्दी
- यूरेशियाई पतेरा
- العربية
- بط صفار
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Itik bungalan
- Tiếng Việt
- Vịt đầu vàng
- Русский
- Свиязь
- Türkçe
- Fiyu
- ไทย
- เป็ดปากสั้น
- বাংলা
- ইউরেশীয় সিঁথিহাঁস
Names come from Wikidata and iNaturalist records. Where a language has no recorded name, we use the scientific name.
Sources and how we check
- 井の頭自然文化園 — ヒドリガモChecked: 2026-11-03
- 日本野鳥の会 — ヒドリガモChecked: 2026-11-05
- 国土交通省 中国地方整備局 — ヒドリガモChecked: 2026-11-05
We check each fact against its source. The illustrations simplify how the real animal looks.
The classification (class, order, family, genus) follows Wikidata records, checked against GBIF. Classifications can change as research goes on.
The basic data are the values given in each source. They vary with how the animal is measured, whether it is male or female, and whether it lives in the wild or in captivity.
This page was translated from the original Japanese with the help of AI.
Report a mistakeWhen you meet the Eurasian wigeon, look for this
- You might hear the male’s whistling “pyu” call.
Animals do different things from day to day, so you may not always see this.
日本野鳥の会EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Places that keep or show the Eurasian wigeon
Zoos, aquariums and other places whose official websites say they keep or show this animal.
Kanto
Displays can change with the animals’ health and the seasons. Check each facility’s official website before you go.
RELATIVES
Others in Anatidae
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