Known in Germany as the Whistling Duck, due to its whistling call, the European Wigeon is common in aviaries and easy to keep and breed. They are also rare vistors to both coasts of the North America. Many birds seen further inland are possible aviary escapes. Males are handsome ducks with a chestnut brown head and golden-yellow band on the forehead. The breast is pinkish-buff while the rest of the body is basically gray and white, with a large white wing patch.
Hens are brown overall, with finely black and brown mottled head and face.
They are much darker than the American hens. Breeding Much like the American Wigeon , there are no problems breeding them in aviaries. May. Hens will lay a clutch of about 7 to 10 egs under bushes or covered by other thick plant growth. The incubation lasts for around 24 days or so and the ducklings are easy to raise. Occasionally, the drakes will sometimes take part in the rearing of the young if the hen is left to incubate on her own.