Join BirdNote tomorrow, November 30th!
Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
A Gadwall drake (male) performs his breeding display to attract the attention of a hen (female). This photo sequence catches his series of poses. What a handsome guy!
Like many duck species, Gadwalls form pair bonds on their wintering grounds, which range as far south as Guatemala. Gadwalls are more monogamous than most ducks, with more than 80% of females paired by November, a full five months before the breeding season. Gadwalls nest in ponds and marshes, as well as human-altered habitats such as sewage treatment plants. You'll find them predominantly in western inland North America, but their range is expanding to the Northeast.
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All photos are © Gregg Thompson and may not be used without permission.