Gadwall

Gadwall, male

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Gadwall, female, March

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Other Names
4. Full detailed species account

A common duck of lakes and ponds, the Gadwall appears drab from a distance. But up close, the male shows a remarkable pattern of intricate markings on all of its body feathers.

Description

• Medium-sized duck.
• Gray body and paler gray head.
• Hind end black.
• White patch in wing, may be hidden.

• Size: 46-57 cm (18-22 in)
• Wingspan: 84 cm (33 in)
• Weight: 500-1250 g (17.65-44.13 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male patterned in subtle gray, brown and black; female dull gray-brown without black hind end.

Sound

A raspy "reb."

Other Names

Canard chipeau (French)
Pato ruidoso, Anade riente (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

LeSchack, C. R., S. K. McKnight, and G. R. Hepp. 1997. Gadwall (Anas strepera). In The Birds of North America, No. 283 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.