Male. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 5th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/1600th sec at f/9. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 5th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/1600th sec at f/9. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 46 - 56 cm; WS: 78 - 90 cm

Slightly smaller than the Mallard, the male is unusual amongst surface-feeding ducks, being discretely coloured in shades of grey and brown. In breeding plumage, its black rear end, light chestnut wings, and brilliant white speculum are distinctive. The female is light brown, with plumage much like a female Mallard; the white speculum is distinctive.

The Gadwall is mainly a species of eastern Europe. It was introduced into the UK in the 1860s. There is some evidence of natural colonisation from the east.

It is a bird of open wetlands, such as prairie or steppe lakes, wet grassland or marshes with dense fringing vegetation.

This is a UK amber list species as there are only around 800 breeding pairs in the UK. About 18000 birds over-winter here.

Sightings