The gadwall male duck is gray-brown, with a white belly and a black rump. While in flight, chestnut and black portions on the wing coverts are visible, with a white speculum. Its bill is slate-gray and the legs and feet are yellow. Females are similar to males, but have more of a mottled brown appearance, a yellowish bill with dark spots, as well as a smaller white speculum.
Water vegetation makes up the majority of the gadwall's diet. Because of this, they are often found feeding far from the shoreline, in deeper water than most other dabbling ducks.
Gadwalls migrate throughout much of the southern US during winter months, with the central and Mississippi flyways being the most heavily populated. Migrating habitats include reservoirs, farm ponds and coastal fresh water marshes throughout much of the intermountain west of North America and Mexico. If American wigeons and American coots are in the area, then a gadwall is more than likely close by.
Breeding generally occurs in the shortgrass, tallgrass and mixed prairie regions of the US and Canada. A female gadwall will nest in fields and meadows and on islands and dikes in wetlands, laying an average of 7 to 12 eggs.
