The Gadwall (Mareca strepera) is a common duck in that occupies open wetlands, wet grasslands, or marshes with dense fringing vegetation. A breeding male is patterned gray with a black rear end, light chestnut wings, and a white speculum. When non-breeding, it looks similar to the female, but the male keeps the same wing pattern. The female is light brown with a dark-orange edged bill, white speculum, and white belly. The Gadwall is a fairly quiet species; the male’s call is hoarse and whistling, and the female has a mallard-like quack. They feed on mollusks and insects.
The Gadwall has a wingspan in the range of 31”-35” (79-89 cm) and total weight of 1.2-2.2 lb (.55-1 kg). The body of the Gadwall has an overall length between 18”-22” (46-56 cm), body width of 3.9”-5.5” (10-14 cm), and standing height of roughly 11”-13.4” (28-34 cm). The typical lifespan of the Gadwall is between 10-28 years.
The Gadwall (Mareca strepera) is a common duck in that occupies open wetlands, wet grasslands, or marshes with dense fringing vegetation. A breeding male is patterned gray with a black rear end, light chestnut wings, and a white speculum. When non-breeding, it looks similar to the female, but the male keeps the same wing pattern. The female is light brown with a dark-orange edged bill, white speculum, and white belly. The Gadwall is a fairly quiet species; the male’s call is hoarse and whistling, and the female has a mallard-like quack. They feed on mollusks and insects.
The Gadwall has a wingspan in the range of 31”-35” (79-89 cm) and total weight of 1.2-2.2 lb (.55-1 kg). The body of the Gadwall has an overall length between 18”-22” (46-56 cm), body width of 3.9”-5.5” (10-14 cm), and standing height of roughly 11”-13.4” (28-34 cm). The typical lifespan of the Gadwall is between 10-28 years.
