Gadwall is a duck found in much of the Northern Hemisphere. During the breeding season in spring, the grayish male gadwall contrasts slightly with the streaked, brownish female. In late summer and fall, the male looks more like the female. The gadwall can be distinguished in flight by the white patch on its wings close to its body. Gadwalls build their nests on dry land near shallow wetlands, where they feed mainly on water vegetation. The female lays from 7 to 12 creamy-white eggs.