Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
- FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
- GenusMareca (Wigeons and Allies)
- SpeciesMareca strepera (Gadwall)
About the Gadwall
The gadwall (Mareca strepera) is a common and widespread dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. The gadwall was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. DNA studies have shown that it is a sister species with the falcated duck; the two are closely related to the three species of wigeons, and all of them have been assigned to the genus Mareca. There are two subspecies:
Mareca strepera strepera (formerly Anas strepera strepera), the common gadwall, described by Linnaeus, is the nominate subspecies. †M. s. couesi (formerly A. s. couesi), Coues's gadwall, extinct c. 1874, was formerly found only on Teraina, a coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
The specific name strepera is Late Latin for "noisy". The etymology of the word gadwall is not known, but the name has been in use since 1666. The gadwall is 47–58 cm (19–23 in) long with a 78–85 cm (31–33 in) wingspan. The male is slightly larger than the female, weighing on average 990 g (35 oz) against her 850 g (30 oz). 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 non... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Gadwall in Everglades National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Everglades National Park
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschata
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigula
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Gadwall in Everglades National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Gadwall sighting in Everglades National Park, based on 72 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Gadwall in Everglades National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Gadwall in Everglades National Park in our monthly data.