Wigeon are elegant grazing ducks that winter in large numbers on UK wetlands. Their welfare depends on the quality of grassland habitat and freedom from disturbance.
Wigeon welfare is strongly linked to grazing habitat quality and disturbance frequency. Flocks feeding on managed wet grassland have access to the short, nutritious grass they need but remain alert and easily flushed. Each disturbance event costs energy and may displace birds to suboptimal areas. As a legal quarry species, wigeon face additional welfare risks from wounding during shooting. Managed wetland reserves provide the best welfare outcomes by combining food availability with low disturbance.