HELP! Is there a good reference on how to tell Eurasian Wigeons
from American Wigeons. I assume the males are easy (gray sides vs. red
sides, red head vs. grey head with green streak) but what about females and
immatures? Can these two species be reliable identified at great distances
with a spotting scope?

I ask this question because I seem to be missing them. I visit a
location and I don't see any "odd" wigeons with the American Wigeons.
Someone else visits the flock and finds one. I go back and I still don't
see them. I'm assuming I just don't know what to look for (or maybe I don't
have the patience to look at every wigeon in Lewiston, Idaho).

Does the probability of seeing an Eurasian Wigeon decreases as you
move inland? How common are they on the coast? Central Washington?
Northern Idaho? For southeastern Idaho, it is rare enough you need to fill
out the rare bird form.

Thanks for your help
Deb

Deb Beutler
Department of Zoology
P.O. Box 644236
Washington State Univerisity
Pullman (Whitman Co.), WA 99164-4236
dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu