Gadwall
Irish Name: | Gadual |
Scientific name: | Mareca strepera |
Bird Family: | Ducks |
A rare resident in wetlands, primarily found in the southern and eastern regions of Ireland.
Identification
This bird is large, though slightly smaller than a Mallard. Adult males feature a distinctive small white speculum, a brown head, a black stern, and a grey body. Females resemble Mallards but have a whitish belly, a small white speculum, and an orange, even stripe along the cutting edge of the bill.
More details can be found at https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/gadwall/.