Key information
The gadwall is a very grey-coloured dabbling duck, a little smaller than the mallard, and with an obvious black rear end. It shows a white wing patch in flight. When seen close up the grey colour is made up of exquisitely fine barring and speckling. It nests in low numbers in the UK and is an Amber List species.
What they eat:
Stems, leaves and seeds.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 46-56cm
- Wingspan:
- 84-95 cm
- Weight:
- 650-900g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 1,200 summer nesting pairs
- UK wintering:
- 25,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Gadwall (male)
Gadwall (female)
