The Gadwall, an underappreciated beauty

A pair of Gadwall (Mareca strepera, hen L, drake R) forage for chara (a type of aquatic algae). In the photo below, a drake shows off his ornate plumage, which is rich in ornate vermiculations, artistic scallops and subtly beautiful coloration. He is giving a characteristic low nasal quack - a distinctive sound amongst the cacophony of quacks in a duck-filled marsh or pond.

Gadwall, in my opinion, is our most underrated and overlooked fowl. For instance, despite being common over much of North America, it has only been selected for the famous annual Federal Duck Stamp once since its inception in 1934 - the 1951-52 stamp featured a pair of Gadwall by the artist Maynard Reece. I made these photos in Erie County, Ohio, on December 28, 2022.