Eurasian Wigeon (Bläsand)

Characteristics:
A medium-sized duck, about 45–50 cm long. The male is easily recognized by his chestnut-brown head with a creamy-yellow forehead (“blaze”), grey body, pinkish breast, and white belly. The female is mottled brown and grey, more subdued in color. Both sexes have a white leading edge on the wing and a green speculum visible in flight.

Habitat:
Common in northern and central Sweden during breeding season, especially around lakes, wetlands, and bogs. In autumn and winter, large flocks gather along coasts and lakes, particularly in southern Sweden.

Diet:
Mainly herbivorous – grazes on aquatic plants, grasses, and herbs, but occasionally eats small invertebrates.

Young:
The female lays 7–10 eggs in a well-hidden nest near water. The eggs hatch after about 25 days, and the ducklings can swim shortly after hatching.

Call:
The male produces a soft, whistling “wiu” or “wiu-wiu”, while the female has a darker, rasping “rarr-rarr”.

Tracks:
The wigeon’s footprints are 5–7 cm long, showing three forward-pointing webbed toes, often visible in wet sand or mud near the water’s edge.

Hunting:
Hunted in autumn, often at dawn or dusk near lakes and coastal wetlands.

Firearm class:
Eurasian wigeon hunting requires a class 3 or 4 shotgun, suitable for bird and small game hunting.