Editing Gadwall (section)

== Description ==
The gadwall is {{convert|47|–|58|cm|in|abbr=on}} long with a {{convert|78|–|85|cm|in|abbr=on}} wingspan.<ref name=Floyd>{{Cite book |last=Floyd |first=T. |year=2008 |title=Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America |publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York }}</ref> The male is slightly larger than the female, weighing on average {{convert|990|g|oz|abbr=on}} against her {{convert|850|g|oz|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Madge/> The breeding male is patterned grey, with a black rear end, light chestnut wings, and a brilliant white [[speculum feathers|speculum]], obvious in flight or at rest.<ref name=Dunn>{{cite book |last1=Dunn |first1=J. |last2=Alderfer |first2=J. |year=2006 |title=National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America |edition=5th }}</ref> In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female, but retains the male wing pattern, and is usually greyer above and has less orange on the bill.<ref name=Madge/>

The female is light brown, with plumage much like a female [[mallard]]. It can be distinguished from that species by the dark orange-edged bill, smaller size, the white [[speculum feathers|speculum]], and white belly.<ref name=Dunn/> Both sexes go through two moults annually, following a juvenile moult.<ref name=Floyd/>

The gadwall is a quieter duck, except during its [[courtship display]]. Females give a call similar to the ''quack'' of a female mallard but higher-pitched, transcribed as ''gag-ag-ag-ag''. Males give a grunt, transcribed as ''mep'', and a whistle.<ref name=Madge/>