Habitat
Ponds, lakes and marshes.

Size19 - 23 inches.

Characteristics

Small white wing patch shows in flight. Male mainly gray , black bill,
feathers under tail are black. Female is mainly sandy brown. Similar in size and shape to a Mallard, though the Gadwall is a much rarer dabbling duck,

Behavior
Uncommon, often seen with Pintail and widgeon ducks. Rarely congregates in flocks, and unlike other surface feeding ducks often dives.

Reproduction
Nest is a hollow lined with plant matter and some down, often on an island or near water. 5 - 15 cream colored eggs are incubated by female only for about 28 days.

Diet
Mainly aquatic plants and seeds, a few insects and mollusks.