Mareca strepera
The Gadwall, scientifically known as *Mareca strepera*, is an elegantly understated medium-sized dabbling duck, recognized for its subtle yet distinctive plumage. Males, measuring around 46-56 cm in length with a wingspan of 78-90 cm and weighing 700-1000g, sport a finely vermiculated grey body, a contrasting black rump, and a striking white speculum on the trailing edge of the wing – a key field mark visible in flight and at rest. Females are mottled brown, reminiscent of a female Mallard bu...
Gadwalls primarily inhabit shallow, productive freshwater wetlands, marshes, and lakes with abundant emergent and submerged vegetation, typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily herbivorous, Gadwalls feed mainly on the leaves, stems, and seeds of aquatic plants, supplementing their diet with some aquatic invertebrates. They forage by dabbling and tipping-up in shallow water.
Gadwalls are active foragers during the day, dabbling and tipping-up in shallow waters to consume aquatic vegetation, often associating with other dabbling duck species. During courtship, the male engages in a series of displays including head-pumping, tail-cocking, and distinct reedy whistles to...
The Gadwall boasts a wide Holarctic distribution, breeding across central and western North America, including the prairie pothole region of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies, extending west to the Pacific Coast and north into Alaska. Its breeding range also spans much of northern and centra...
Least Concern
- The Gadwall is one of the quietest dabbling ducks, with its soft quacks and reedy whistles often overlooked. - It is the only dabbling duck species where both the male and female prominently display a white speculum on their wings, though it's typically larger and brighter on the male. - Its na...