Gadwall

48-58 cm (19-23") Fairly common and widespread. Open lakes, marshes, ponds, rivers. Surface feeder but dives regularly.

Male: plain light brownish head; grayish overall body; black undertail; yellow feet; dark bill; on land or water it often shows a white spot on the hind edge of the wing.

Female: mottled brown overall similar to Black Duck and female Mallard but has a white belly and on land or water it often shows a white spot on the hind edge of the wing; gray upper bill has orange at edge; yellow feet.

In flight, white belly and speculum - no other dabbling duck has such a white patch on upper wing.

Song: low whistling "bek", soft quacks.

Play