Widgeon (Mareca), a genus of Ducks having the bill shorter than the head, the legs short, the feet rather small, the wings long and pointed, and the tail wedge-shaped. The species are numerous and very widely distributed. The Common Widgeon (M. penelope) breeds in the northern counties of Scotland, and is very abundant during winter in many parts of the British Islands. It feeds chiefly on grass and vegetable matter. The note is a shrill whistle, which has gained for the species its common names of Whew-duck and Whewer. The American Widgeon (M. americana), a slightly larger species than the foregoing, is abundant throughout the colder parts of North America. Its flesh, like that of the common widgeon, is highly esteemed for food.