Gadwall
The gadwall (Mareca strepera) is a common and widespread dabbling duck in the family Anatidae.
In Türkiye
Recorded year-round, with records rising clearly in winter.
Most records in January.
Provinces where it makes up the largest share of bird records.
Adjusted for how many birdwatchers are out each month; the busiest month = 100%.
3,972 records from Türkiye · #188 of 634 species by number of records. Source: GBIF.org (October 2026). All birds of Türkiye
About
The gadwall was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. DNA studies have shown that it is a sister species with the falcated duck; the two are closely related to the three species of wigeons, and all of them have been assigned to the genus Mareca. There are two subspecies:
Mareca strepera strepera (formerly Anas strepera strepera), the common gadwall, described by Linnaeus, is the nominate subspecies.
†M. s. couesi (formerly A. s. couesi), Coues's gadwall, extinct c. 1874, was formerly found only on Teraina, a coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
The specific name strepera is Late Latin for "noisy". The etymology of the word gadwall is not known, but the name has been in use since 1666.
The gadwall is 47–58 cm (19–23 in) long with a 78–85 cm (31–33 in) wingspan. The male is slightly larger than the female, weighing on average 990 g (35 oz) against her 850 g (30 oz). The breeding male is patterned grey, with a black rear end, light chestnut wings, and a brilliant white speculum, obvious in flight or at rest.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
At a glance
The gadwall looks plain grey from afar but is intricately patterned up close, and often steals plants brought to the surface by diving birds.
Similar birds
All birds
Heard this one in the wild?
Record it and Birdy will confirm — then it's in your journal.