Gadwall - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Gadwall (Anas strepera)

ORDER: Anseriformes
FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks and Geese - 52 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Anatinae
SPECIES: Gadwall (Anas strepera)

Gadwall
The Gadwall (The Wonder Duck) populations have grown exponentially over the past several decades to become the fourth most numerous duck, exceeded only by Mallards, Lesser Scaup, and Blue-winged Teal.
SIZE	Medium sized (18-21") dabbling duck, that also dives for food. They are a little smaller than a Mallard.
DESCRIPTION	The breeding male has a beautiful intricate pattern of gray markings, with a black rear and a brilliant white speculum (patch), which is obvious in flight or at rest. They also have solid black bills. The females are light brown, with no black on rear, but with plumage much like a female Mallard. They can be distinguished from the Mallard by their steeper head profile, distinct white belly patch and black bill with orange edges and smaller size. They also have a white speculum (patch), (Mallard has blue patch) which can be seen even when wing is folded. (See pictures below)
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 8-10 eggs, which are incubated in 24 to 28 days. The nest is usually on the ground, made of grasses and weeds and lined with down. They are usually surrounded by dense vegetation and near a body of water.
RANGE	The Gadwall breeds in the northern areas of Europe and Asia and central North America (North Temperate Zone). The range of this bird appears to be expanding into eastern North America. This dabbling duck is strongly migratory and winters further south than its breeding range.
HABITAT	They habitat preferred by Gadwalls are lakes, ponds and marshes.
DIET	The preferred diet of the Gadwall is the invasive, Eurasian Water Milfoil. They also eat grass, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Gadwall

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


GdWl_070T_200302	GdWl_070T_200308


GdWl_070T_500229	GdWl_070T_017756


Female	Male

Chimney Swift Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes