Page 104 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Anas strepera
Gadwall head paler than
Mallard’s
dark bill with orange-
orange sides sided bill
white patch near
base of wings mottled brown
body
protruding
head
white patch white belly in
FEMALE flight
white patch
MALE (WINTER) on wings
white belly pale brown head MALE (SUMMER)
IN FLIGHT grey body steep forehead
pale area
narrow, straight
black bill
black stern

pale orange
legs
MALE (WINTER)
large, elegant, surface-feeding duck, with a smaller,
A squarer head than the Mallard, the Gadwall is
usually far less abundant. Dull colours at a distance FLIGHT: strong, quick, direct, head protruding;
reveal exquisite patterns at close range. Pairs are often frequently in pairs.
seen flying over territories in spring, with characteristic
calls attracting attention. In autumn and winter,
Gadwalls often flock on reservoirs and pits, frequently
scattered through flocks of Coots (see p.159),exploiting
the food that the latter bring up from the bottom
when they dive.
VOICE Male has high, nasal pee and croaked ahrk,
female has loud quack.
NESTING Down-lined hollow on ground near water;
8–12 eggs; 1 brood;April–June.
FEEDING Mostly feeds in shallow water, dabbling FEEDING GADWALL PAIR
and upending for seeds, insects, roots, and shoots The male (left) is “upending” to reach deeper food, a typical surface-
of aquatic plants. feeding duck technique.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Mostly breeds in mid- and
MALLARD 2 browner W Europe, on lakes and rivers with
similar to 2; head
brown belly reeds or wooded islands. In winter,
seen in flight; more westerly, on open waters such
see p.101 as big reservoirs and flooded pits,
short bill
but prefers some shelter. Scarce on
salt marshes and quiet estuaries.
WIGEON 2
blue similar to 2; Seen in the UK
speculum see p.105 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 46–56cm (18–22in) Wingspan 84–95cm (33–37in) Weight 650–900g (23–32oz)
Social Flocks Lifespan 10–15 years Status Vulnerable
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