Ringneck gadwall. Rare?

Hi all, Im at it hard again for another louisiana duck season. Today we did very well and after retrieving a drake gadwall I noticed this bird had a complete black and white ring around his neck. I know I've seen this somewhere but cant locate any info on it. Whether its rare, or what causes this. Iv killed hundreds of gadwals and this is a first to me. Can anyone shed some light or share similar kills. I also have a purple headed gaddy that I killed last season at my taxi right now. A ring necked one might fit in well with him.

Kneejerk says plain ol grey. I think I have killed them with some white around the neck as well. Do you have some more pics?

I think there are a lot of variations to ducks. We killed a greenwinged teal that looked like a cross of something else last weekend. After checking into it, we concluded it was a Juvie green wing. What threw me was its size. It was as large as a mature male, but only had little portions of cinnamon color on its head.

I do have more pics but wont be home to post until tomorrow. The ring around the neck that's more in question is the black ring. Look at any gray and they wont have a black ring. It'll be just salt/pepper chest colored feathers fading into the brown of the head. I've literally killed hundreds and pics to confirm that no other that i've killed have had this trait.

that is a mature grey duck

Hey, this guy was from 26 seasons ago (1985/1986) and still on the wall. I have seen plenty of greys with faint white rings around the neck, but never as heavy as this. Was probably a very old duck!

I have also killed a few of these very mature grey ducks. Here is a picture of one from 2009.

That is one good looking gaddy there. I'd have to think about putting one that pretty on the wall. Never fails anytime you get one anywhere close to that pretty it will be shot to h*ll or have a busted wing. Seems like the ones in mint condition you normally get never have that good of plumage!

That sure is a pretty gray duck and I notice the white on yours but I'm more questioning the black ring because I've never seen it before. Do you ever kill any with the black?

i can't recall if it had the black like yours

Killed another ring necked gadall a few weeks ago. This time the ring is much larger and darker, Beautiful bird. I still cant get over that I've never even seen a gadwall like this before and this year I killed two. Anyone else get any with the black ring this year?

Hey guys i just killed this gadwall in Jalisco México, same white ring on the neck

Took this late last year in Venice. The biologist thought it was either a mature Grey or have some hybrid genetics. Either way a pretty bird, gotta love dem Grey ducks!

Bet it is quite simply an older specimen.One of my buddies from the Abita KC's is quite an avian expert and he advised that one can gauge the age of drake grey ducks by the dark coloration on the dorsal(back)side and the purplish hue on crown of head also shows age of duck.Love late-season and mature greys-some are close to the size of mallards/mottled ducks!!!Headed to Kenner this morning to get some work done on my mom's Kenner rental and will snag plenty big palm fronds,so essential to the stealth hunting I employ to ambush ducks like dat PLUS mottled ducks,mallards,....!!

Mandevillian

I know you posted about your grey duck many years back but I just ran across it. I was shooting many like that in the second season also in Bayou Bienvinue? behind the dump. I was doing taxidermy work for 20 years just on waterfowl and many come from that area. I have some mounted sitting on a log with the same white bands since they are just beautiful ducks.. Good luck. I hate that they closed behind the dump because of greed..