Gadwall

Anas strepera Order: ANSERIFORMES Family: Geese and Ducks (Anatidae)
Gadwell Male Portrait
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General

Gadwall: Large dabbling duck with finely barred gray body, black rump and undertail coverts, white belly, and rust-brown shoulders. Head and neck are gray-brown; bill is gray. Wings have black-bordered white speculum most visible in flight. Legs and feet are yellow. Female is mottled brown with dark-spotted orange bill and white speculum visible when swimming. Juvenile resembles female; eclipse male is similar to female but is grayer overall.

Range and Habitat

Gadwall: Breeds near seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands, mainly in the shortgrass, tallgrass, and mixed prairie regions of the U.S. and Canada. Spends winters in southern two-thirds of the U.S., with greatest concentrations found in the Central and Mississippi Flyways; also a common winter visitor to Guatemala. Preferred habitats include large, shallow ponds with lots of marsh plants.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"quack"

Interesting Facts

 The Gadwall duck was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name.

 It is not as gregarious as some dabbling ducks outside the breeding season and tends to form only small flocks.

 A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.



Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for Gadwall

Related Birds

Mallard
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Eurasian Wigeon
Mottled Duck
Falcated Duck
.
Family Surface-feeding Duck (Anatidae)_blue
Species Anas strepera
Length19 - 23 Inches
Wingspan33.5 Inches

Gadwall

Gadwall: Large dabbling duck with finely barred gray body, black rump and undertail coverts, white belly, and rust-brown shoulders. Head and neck are gray-brown; bill is gray. Wings have black-bordered white speculum most visible in flight. Legs and feet are yellow. Fast direct flight.

● Song: "quack"

● Foraging & Feeding: Gadwall: Feeds on pondweeds, naiads, widgeon grass, watermilfoil, algae, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates; forages in deeper water than most other dabbling ducks.

● Breeding & nesting: Gadwall: Seven to fifteen creamy white eggs are laid in a nest made of grass and weeds, lined with down, and usually hidden in dense weeds or grass near water. Incubation ranges from 24 to 27 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Gadwall: Adult male in breeding plumage is unmistakable.

Flight Pattern

Fast direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Gadwall Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Gadwall: Breeds near seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands, mainly in the shortgrass, tallgrass, and mixed prairie regions of the U.S. and Canada. Spends winters in southern two-thirds of the U.S., with greatest concentrations found in the Central and Mississippi Flyways; also a common winter visitor to Guatemala. Preferred habitats include large, shallow ponds with lots of marsh plants.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationYes but uncommon
MigrationMigratory
Weight35.2 Ounces