Gadwall duck

Gadwall male

In a world where male ducks sport gleaming patches of green, red, or blue, the Gadwall’s understated elegance can make this common duck easy to overlook. Males are intricately patterned with gray, brown, and black; females resemble female Mallards, although with a thinner, darker bill. We don’t tend to think of ducks as pirates, but Gadwall often snatch food from diving ducks as they surface. This widespread, adaptable duck has dramatically increased in numbers in North America since the…

In a world where male ducks sport gleaming patches of green, red, or blue, the Gadwall’s understated elegance can make this common duck easy to overlook. Males are intricately patterned with gray, brown, and black; females resemble female Mallards, although with a thinner, darker bill. We don’t tend to think of ducks as pirates, but Gadwall often snatch food from diving ducks as they surface. This widespread, adaptable duck has dramatically increased in numbers in North America since the…

Although the Gadwall’s appearance is very subdued, many people think this is the most elegant duck in North America. Their retiring behaviour and subtle colouring frequently results in these beautiful ducks being overlooked. They often associate with our ubiquitous Mallards, though in much smaller numbers. Gadwalls are not as gregarious as some dabbling ducks outside the breeding season and they tend to form only small flocks. My experience has been that there are occasionally three or four…

Gadwall Duck Male Lake Washington Seattle

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The Gadwall (Mareca strepera) is a species of dabbling duck native across North America and Eurasia. They feed on plants, insects, and occasionally mollusks. To feed, they dabble their bills across the surface of the water and consume any matter that they may come across. Male gadwalls aren't as...