Gadwall

Latin Name: 
Anas strepera
Category: 
Size: 
39-43cm
Description: 

Dull, largely grey-brown duck. Male has finely speckled grey head, heavier speckled grey breast, dark grey bill, grey-brown upper body, white belly, black rear; white speculum in both sexes diagnostic. Female has buff-brown head, orange-sided grey bill, mottled and scalloped brown body. Eclipse male similar to female, but paler grey and less mottled. Gregarious, but shy; sometimes in small mixed flocks; surface feeder, often up-ending.

Habitat: 
Rivers, lakes, marshes, vegetated wetlands.
Food: 
mainly aquatic plants, sometimes small aquatic animals.
Distribution: 
Throughout the region
Call: 
Call Description: 
Male – usually a soft single-noted whistle; female – louder quack.
National Status: