Gould observed 'The Widgeon is a compact and trim little duck, whose structure is well adapted for walking on land or for swimming on the water...Unlike the Mallard and Shoveller, which feed in soft and oozy places...the Widgeon wanders over marshes and nibbles the grasses and other plants.'
DISTRIBUTION: Breeds Eurasia from Iceland, British Isles and Scandinavia east through to Kamchatka, south to Poland, Germany and into west and north China. Winters south to north western and southern Europe, also around the Mediterranean and Black Sea, south Asia, Greater Sunda islands and the Philippines