Gadwall Duck (female)

Description:

Gadwall are about the same size as Mallards. Gadwall have a fairly large, square head with a steep forehead. The bill is noticeably thinner than a Mallard's. In flight, the neck is slightly thinner and the wings slightly more slender than a Mallard’s. Females are patterned with brown and buff. Females have a thin orange edge to their dark bills. Gadwall feed with other dabbling ducks, tipping forward to feed on submerged vegetation without diving. They sometimes steal food from flocks of diving ducks or coots. You'll often see these ducks in pairs through the winter, because they select their mates for the breeding season as early as late fall.

Habitat:

Man made retention pond. Photo 2; an American Coot popped up with a bite of vegetation while this Gadwall was arranging her feathers.