The Gadwall breeds in temperate areas of North America, Europe and Asia and migrates south in the winter. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. It nests near water and prefers islands with emergent vegetation.

it is smaller and slimmer than a Mallard and is fairly nondescript apart from a small white speculum, more noticeable in flight, and a black stern. The female resembles a Mallard but has a small white speculum and a bill with orange edges and a dark culmen.