Wildlifeof Thailand
Gadwall
Anatidae
Photo: (c) Валерия Ковалева, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Mareca strepera
Basic stats
Habitat
Wetland; nests on the ground, often some distance from water
Range
Breeds across the northern Palearctic and North America; winters in South Asia
Clutch size
7–12 eggs
Size
47–58cm
Wingspan
78–85cm
Weight
Males about 990g; females about 850g
The gadwall is a common, widespread dabbling duck 47–58 cm long with a wingspan of 78–85 cm. 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 eclipse plumage the drake looks more like the female but keeps the male wing pattern, and is greyer above with less orange on the bill. Males weigh about 990 g and females about 850 g (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds in northern Europe and across the Palearctic, and in central North America, and it is also seen in parts of South Asia in winter. The female's call is like a female mallard's quack but higher pitched. It nests on the ground, often some distance from water, laying seven to twelve eggs (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Gadwall live in?
- Wetland; nests on the ground, often some distance from water
- Where is the Gadwall found?
- Breeds across the northern Palearctic and North America; winters in South Asia
- How many eggs does the Gadwall lay?
- 7–12 eggs
- How big is the Gadwall?
- 47–58cm
- What is the wingspan of the Gadwall?
- 78–85cm
- How much does the Gadwall weigh?
- Males about 990g; females about 850g