wigeon
9.9
A small freshwater duck with a round head and whistling call
- noun
- /ˈwɪdʒən/
- UK
:
silbón
- The park became a popular spot for birdwatchers hoping to catch a glimpse of the colorful wigeon and other ducks.
- wigeon and pintails
- wigeon and teal
Examples
-
They were walking to a hawk owl nest near Chip Lake, Alberta, when they flushed an American wigeon.
Academic text (2003) -
During the winter, large flocks of wigeon can be seen swimming in the freshwater lakes.
-
As we paddled quietly along the river, a pair of wigeon took off from the shore, their distinctive whistling calls echoing through the air.
Synonyms
9.9
A freshwater duck from Europe, northern Asia, and northern Africa
is the common English name used instead of the scientific term
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wigeon probably began as a name that copies the sound of the bird's call, like many bird names that come from the noise they make. A helpful way to remember it is to think of the duck's clear whistle, so the word fits this small, whistling freshwater duck.
