Gadwall

The gadwall (Anas strepera) is a common and widespread duck of the family Anatidae.

Systematics

The gadwall was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 in his Systema naturae, under its current scientific name.DNA studies have shown that it is a sister species with the falcated duck, and that these two are closely related to the wigeons. There two subspecies:

A. s. couesi, Coues' gadwall, extinct circa 1874, was formerly found on Teraina, a coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

The etymology of the word gadwall is not known, but the name has been in use since 1666.

Description

Nest lined with feathers

Nest lined with feathers

Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden

Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden

Juvenile, Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario

Juvenile, Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario

Female and Male, WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes

Female and Male, WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes

The gadwall is 46–56 cm (18–22 in) long with a 78–90 cm (31–35 in) wingspan. The male is slightly larger than the female, weighing on average 990 g (35 oz) against her 850 g (30 oz). The breeding male is patterned grey, with a black rear end, light chestnut wings, and a brilliant white speculum, obvious in flight or at rest. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female, but retains the male wing pattern, and is usually greyer above and has less orange on the bill.

Gadwall (disambiguation)

Gadwall may refer to:

Ducks:

Other:

See also