Gadwall

I just realized I've done a post on every duck species I've seen except the gadwall and I realize it is not a fluke, but a psychological barrier. I don't like gadwalls. They're bland and ugly while most ducks have at least some flashes of brilliant color. They're kind of like the ducks in military fatigues that are not meant to stand out. In fact, I realize I usually don't even photograph gadwalls anymore. Just compare them to the green-winged teal I posted on yesterday with flashes of color all over it.  I was surprised to see gadwalls in Kaziranga NP in Assam, India and would not have recognized them if my guide, Bablu, had not pointed them out. So at least this post may help me sort out why they looked different as they don't appear to be a different species. 

Gadwall female and male at Bolsa Chica.

Gadwall female at Bolsa Chica.

Male and female at Irvine Ranch Water District

Male at IRWD.

Female gadwall illustration from Birds of the World.

Male gadwall illustration from Birds of the World.

Male from the Western Range of Kaziranga NP in Assam, India, and a female in the photo below. 

Horrendous photo from the Eastern Range of Kaziranga NP. 

As I line them up together I'm not seeing the differences I thought I was seeing in India. Below is the range from Birds of the World. 

They actually have a wider range in Africa, Asia and Europe than they have in North America. It appears that they have a year-round presence in Southern California and a winter range in India. 

The illustrations make them look prettier than the photos, particularly the male. But they do have an amazing range and are obviously a resilient species.