The drake gadwall is a large mostly gray dabbling duck. Adult drakes have a black bill, buff head, gray body, and black upper and lower tail coverts. Hens are nondescript brown ducks with a spotted, yellowish-orange bill with black edges. Gadwalls are unique among dabbling ducks in having a partly white speculum which can be observed in flight.

Common vocalizations include the deep, reed-like sounds of the male and the female's quacking, similar to but more nasal and higher pitched than the mallard hen.

It is an abundant breeder locally in eastern Oregon and an uncommon breeder in western Oregon. It is also a common to abundant spring and fall migrant in eastern Oregon.

Hear the call of the gadwall

Photo by Nick Myatt, ODFW