Gadwall

Anas strepera

Common & widespread residents of 100,000 pairs in Britain & Ireland.

650,000 more in the Winter.

Also breed in Spain, France, other parts of Europe & North America.

In winter some move south to the Mediterranean & Southern USA.

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.

The Female is light brown, with plumage much like a female mallard.

It can be distinguished from that species by the dark orange-edged bill, smaller size, the white speculum, and white belly.

The call is heard in Spring, which is a quack of a Female mallard but higher-pitched, transcribed as gag-ag-ag-ag.

Males give a grunt and a whistle.