The Gadwall (Anas strepera) is a quietly elegant, medium-sized dabbling duck often overlooked beside its more colourful relatives. At first glance the male can seem plain grey-brown, but closer inspection reveals a beautifully intricate pattern of fine vermiculated feathers across the body, a sleek dark rear end, and a striking white wing patch that flashes in flight. The bill is slate-grey and the head a soft, warm brown, giving the drake a refined, understated look.

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