The wigeon is a grazer but will take grain when available. In May, the drakes erect their small crests and display to females, but once mating has taken place, they take no further part in rearing the young. The female constructs a nest on the ground amongst bracken or heather, and lines it with dried grass and down from her own breast. The eggs are buff-coloured, and there may be eight in the clutch. They are incubated for 25 days and the ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching. Attended by their mother, they fly after about 40 days.