By Sally Siko

Last week I led a birding tour in south eastern SC and was stoked to show my client this flock of Gadwall ducks.
Normally this species tend to spook easily whenever human are around so it was great to get such a nice close up look at them as they paddled on the water.
Even in mixed flock situations, male Gadwalls are relatively easy to ID thanks to that black feathery butt lol!

When viewing the drakes at a distance one might describe them as dull but taking a closer look, you’ll notice that they are actually quite intricately adorned with an intricate black lacing pattern on their feathers paired with a pleasing pallet of warm colors over-washing it’s gray and brown plumage.
The hens are equally as lovely dressed in a plumage softly toned in shades of warm buff brown.

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 of the Carolina’s 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 mid Atlantic region. 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 South Carolina paddling around in wide open fresh and brackish marshes, ponds and lakes from now through early April.
You’ve got plenty of time to see a Gadwall over the next few months so get out there and enjoy them this winter!

By the way, I’ve added a ton of new South Carolina birding tour dates to my schedule.
If you’d like to go bird watching with me this winter to see (and photograph!) Gadwalls and other incredible birds, check calendar for trip info.

Photos by Sally Siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5