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 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Cinnamon Teal
Spatula cyanoptera
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
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 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Gadwall sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, based on 106 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Gadwall in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
January has the highest sighting rate for Gadwall in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in our monthly data.