They are a noisy species. While most ducks quack, the male American Wigeon produces a very distinct, high-pitched three-note whistle that sounds similar to a squeaky toy.
Wigeons are famously known as "thief ducks." They often hang around diving ducks, like the Canvasback, to steal the aquatic vegetation (such as eelgrass) that the divers bring to the surface. anas americana
“Baldpates often graze like geese on young grasses, and they are fond of eelgrass, which they will steal from diving ducks...” Britannica They are a noisy species
Unlike many other dabbling ducks that primarily forage in shallow water, American Wigeons have evolved to be specialized . They are frequently seen on land, grazing on grasses like geese. Their stubby, "goose-like" blue-gray bill is a specialized tool perfectly adapted for this terrestrial feeding. “Baldpates often graze like geese on young grasses,
Field experts and birders often highlight the species' unique behaviors and identifying marks: