The Gadwall is an elegant species of duck that is often overlooked by casual birdwatchers due to their seemingly understated appearance.
When viewing one at a distance one might even describe them as dull but taking a closer look, you’ll notice that they are actually quite intricately patterned with a pleasing pallet of warm colors.

I spotted this drake swimming among the reeds during the second day of my recent visit to the Pea Island NWR while scouting locations for an upcoming tour.
Though the mid-day lighting was kinda harsh, I’m so happy to have had an opportunity to photograph one at a relatively close range.

I enjoyed watching this one foraging for a meal on the water. Like most species of dabbling duck, they’re fond of feeding on leaves and stems of submersed aquatic vegetation.
When the breeding season arrives, their protein requirements change a bit so during the spring & summer they also may be seen snacking on small crustaceans and other invertebrates.

Though most breed in the north central and western part of the United States, Gadwalls are also a year round resident of the coastal counties in North Carolina and are known to nest on Bodie Island and Pea Island during the summer.
In addition, every autumn thousands of Gadwalls arrive from all over the country to spend the cooler months here in the Tarheel State. Due to the influx of migrants in the eastern counties, they are much easier to find during the wintertime than any other time of year.
This is why you’re most likely to spot them in here in North Carolina paddling around in wide open fresh and brackish marshes, ponds and lakes from September through early April.
Get out there and enjoy them!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds