The gadwall drake is a species of duck found across North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a medium-sized duck with gray plumage and a black rear end. The gadwall drake is an important game duck for hunters and a favorite among birdwatchers. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the gadwall drake including its appearance, habitat, diet, breeding, and more.
What Does a Gadwall Drake Look Like?
The gadwall drake has elegant plumage in shades of gray and black. The head is light brown with fine vermiculations. The breast is pale gray, and the belly is white. The most distinctive feature of the drake is its black rump and black tail. When in flight, the white speculum on the wings is visible. The bill of the gadwall is slate gray, and the legs and feet are yellowish.
The female gadwall, also called the hen, has mottled brown plumage to provide camouflage while nesting. She is lighter overall than the male. Immature gadwalls resemble adult females but have duller plumage.
The gadwall drake undergoes a molt twice per year. Prior to breeding season, they molt into their brightest alternate plumage. After nesting, they molt again into their duller basic plumage. Their elegant breeding plumage makes the gadwall drake a beautiful duck when seen on the water.
Where Does the Gadwall Drake Live?
The gadwall has an extremely large range across three continents. They breed across northern North America from Alaska to central California and east to the Great Lakes region and maritime Canada. They are strongly migratory and travel south to winter along the southern U.S. coast and south into Mexico.
In Eurasia, their breeding range stretches across northern Europe and Asia. They winter from the British Isles south to North Africa and east through southern Asia. Populations in the UK and northwestern Europe are largely resident.
The gadwall inhabits shallow freshwater marshes, ponds, and lakes. They prefer areas with dense aquatic vegetation where they can find food and thick cover to hide their nests. During migration and winter, they also forage in estuaries, coastal lagoons, and flooded agricultural fields.
What Does the Gadwall Drake Eat?
The gadwall is an omnivorous dabbling duck that feeds mainly by skimming and grazing vegetation from the water’s surface. Their diet consists of:
- Aquatic vegetation – Especially the leaves, stems, and seeds of pondweeds, wigeon grass, and muskgrass.
- Seeds of agricultural crops – Corn, rice, millet, and wheat.
- Invertebrates – Snails, larvae, and aquatic insects.
- Small fish
Gadwalls use their bill to strain plant material from the water or graze it directly from aquatic plants. They will upend to reach underwater vegetation. While foraging, gadwalls often feed in small flocks. Their diet shifts seasonally based on food availability.
When Does the Gadwall Drake Breed?
Gadwalls form monogamous pair bonds that may last for more than one breeding season. Courtship begins in late winter and early spring. The male performs displays such as grunt-whistles and head-up-tail-up to attract females. Once paired, gadwall couples remain together until the female begins incubating eggs.
The breeding season varies based on latitude:
- Southern populations breed November – May
- Northern populations breed April – July
Both sexes contribute to building a well-hidden nest on the ground near water. It is concealed in thick vegetation and lined with plant material and down feathers. The female lays one egg per day and completes a clutch of 8-12 creamy white eggs. She incubates them for 24-27 days while the male remains nearby. The eggs hatch near synchronously.
Once hatched, the highly mobile ducklings depart the nest with the parents. The young fledge at around 7 weeks old but may remain with their parents through migration. Female gadwalls nest only once per year and have an average lifespan of 2 years.
Interesting Facts About the Gadwall Drake
- The scientific name of the gadwall is Mareca strepera.
- They get their common name from their call which sounds like “gadwall.”
- Gadwalls often nest near coots and terns which are aggressive and provide protection.
- The ducklings feed themselves from hatching but stay near their mother for safety.
- Gadwalls migrate at night in small flocks of fewer than 30 birds.
- During winter and migration, they form large flocks numbering in the thousands.
- They build nests on the ground rather than in tree cavities like other ducks.
- Gadwalls are one of the most common duck species hunted in the U.S.
- In flight, they are swift and agile with rapid wingbeats.
Population and Conservation Status
The gadwall has an extremely large population estimated at 2.8 million individual birds worldwide. Their numbers increased rapidly in the 1900s as habitat conditions improved. They are listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN due to their large and growing population.
Wetland conservation is vital to maintaining healthy gadwall numbers. They are still vulnerable to habitat loss, degradation, and disturbance. Responsible hunting practices and sustainable harvesting ensure gadwalls remain common gamebirds. This adaptable duck serves as an indicator species for the health of wetland ecosystems across the Northern Hemisphere.
Hunting the Gadwall Drake
The gadwall is an excellent gamebird pursued by waterfowl hunters across the U.S. They are swift fliers and can provide challenging shots. Gadwalls become wary of hunters and decoy spreads but can be brought in with skillful calling. Here are some tips for hunting gadwall drakes:
- Scout areas holding migrating or wintering birds before the season.
- Use decoys such as mallards, widgeons, and teal to bring in flocks.
- Set up near their preferred food sources like flooded grain fields.
- Use duck calls that mimic Pacific coast mallards to call in gadwalls.
- Aim carefully at these agile flyers and lead them appropriately.
- Bring a retriever to recover downed birds from lakes and marshes.
Consult regulations for season dates and bag limits in your region. With proper preparation, the hardy gadwall can provide great shooting opportunities and excellent table fare.
Spotting a Gadwall Drake
Here are some tips for identifying and spotting gadwall drakes in the field:
- Scan shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, and flooded fields for them.
- Listen for their distinctive “gadwall” call and grunting courtship whistle.
- Look for the male’s elegant gray, black, and white plumage in spring.
- Note the characteristic black rear end and speculum.
- Watch for rapid, direct flight low over the water’s surface.
- View through binoculars to see the fine vermiculated pattern on the head.
- Observe paired or courting birds in spring performing displays.
- Notice how they tip forward to feed underwater on vegetation.
With a good vantage point and patient scanning, observers can pick out the handsome gadwall drake among flocks of ducks.
Key Facts About the Gadwall Drake
Here are the key facts to remember about the gadwall drake:
- Medium-sized, gray duck with black rear end
- Breeds in shallow freshwater wetlands across northern North America and Eurasia
- Omnivorous; feeds mainly by grazing on aquatic vegetation
- Male has elegant gray and black breeding plumage; female is mottled brown
- Nest is concealed on ground near water
- Hen incubates 8-12 eggs for 24-27 days
- Young fledge around 7 weeks old and may stay with parents through migration
- Populations increased substantially in 20th century
- Common game duck hunted for sport and food
Remembering these key facts and details will help you identify and appreciate the gadwall, one of the most widespread ducks in the Northern Hemisphere.
Comparison to Similar Species
The gadwall drake could potentially be confused with a few other diving duck species. Here is a comparison:
Eurasian Wigeon
- Male has gray body but reddish brown head with creamy yellow forehead
- Black rear end less prominent than gadwall’s
- Smaller white shoulder patches than gadwall
- Found in same habitats
American Wigeon
- Male has white crown contrasting with dark forehead
- Gray body plumage similar to gadwall
- Green eye patch; gadwall lacks any green
- Smaller and daintier build than gadwall
Mallard
- Male has green head versus gadwall’s brown
- Dark rear end less prominent than gadwall’s black rump
- Yellow bill compared to gray bill of gadwall
- Found together on lakes and ponds
Paying attention to head coloration, rear end color, body size, and bill color helps distinguish the gadwall from similar dabbling duck species.
Conclusion
With its elegant plumage and distinctive look, the gadwall drake is one of the most recognizable ducks across the Northern Hemisphere. This adaptable duck thrives around shallow wetlands where it can find abundant vegetation and secluded nest sites. The gadwall’s unique appearance, breeding behavior, and broad habitat range make it a favorite among birders and hunters alike. Know the key identifying features and habits of the gadwall drake to spot this fascinating duck on waterways near you.