Gadwall

Mareca strepera

Alternate names: Gray Duck, Gray Mallard, Specklebelly, Gad, Gadie

Length: 21 in
Weight: 2 lb

Calls

Males make short, burping grunts while females give soft, raspy quacks – both quieter and less frequent than Mallards.

Males: Distinctive two-note “nat-churr” or “brrr-reet” sound, short and nasal; used often in flight and courtship displays.
Females: Soft, raspy “quaack” similar to a subdued female Mallard, generally lower and shorter in series.

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Overview

Gadwalls are medium-sized, grayish-brown ducks known for their more understated appearance compared to other species. Drakes have a subtle gray-brown body with a distinctive black rear end, while hens are mottled brown for camouflage. Both genders have a white wing patch, or speculum, that is often visible in flight.

Gadwalls prefer shallow wetlands, marshes, and ponds, where they feed by dabbling, primarily on aquatic plants. They are quieter than other ducks, with drakes making a low, grunting call. Gadwalls can be fast flyers and are often found in mixed flocks with other dabbling ducks, making them a frequent but sometimes overlooked target for hunters.

Identification

Gray-Brown Body (Drakes), Black Rear End (Drakes), Mottled Brown Plumage (Hens), White Wing Patch (Both Genders), Low Grunting Call (Drakes), Fast Flyers (Both Genders)

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