Domestic Duck Breeds And Their Features
Domestic ducks are bred and raised primarily for their eggs, down, and meat. Some are also kept as pets and for display. While there are numerous domesticated duck breeds, nearly all of them descended from the Mallard.
If you want to learn everything there is to know about domestic duck breeds, keep reading for our comprehensive list.
Duck of Ancona
Ancona is a duck breed native to England. It was first shown in the United States in 1983, after being introduced in the early 1970s. This medium-sized bird has a concave bill, an oval-shaped head, and a variety of color patterns such as black and white, blue and white, white and chocolate, and lavender and white.
The Australian Call Duck
The Call Duck is a beautiful white bird that is kept as a pet. The Call Duck, a smaller-sized duck, was originally used in hunting to attract other birds to the hunter’s gun.
Abacot Ranger
The Abacot Ranger, also known as the Hooded Ranger and Streicherente, is a utility breed raised primarily for meat and eggs. Oscar Gray of Abacot Duck Ranch in the United Kingdom invented it in the early 1900s.
Black East Indie Duck
This Black duck breed is primarily used for decoration. The Buenos Airean, also known as the Brazilian, has lustrous, dark green plumage and a black bill. It typically weighs less than 1 kg and is used by duck enthusiasts for display or as ornaments in ponds and yards.
Swedish Blue Duck
In the 1800s, this domestic duck breed was developed in the former Swedish Pomerania, which is now northwest Poland and northwest Germany. There are only 148 breeding birds in Sweden, and the Blue Swedish duck was listed as a “endangered-maintained” breed in 2014. The oval head, blue-slate plumage, and dark lacing around the feathers distinguish the breed.
Buff Duck
The Buff, also known as the Orpington, is a domestic duck breed used for egg production and meat production. It can lay up to 220 eggs per year. William Cook developed the breed in the United Kingdom. Buffs are distinguished by their long necks and bodies, oval heads, and seal-brown or fawn-buff plumage.
Campbell Duck
The Campbell duck breed was developed in England in 1891 by crossing Rouen, Runner, and Mallard ducks. Its plumage is khaki, with an olive-green head and a brown bill. Campbell can lay up to 300 eggs per year.
Cayuga Duck
The Cayuga is an American domestic duck breed native to New York’s Finger Lakes region. The Cayuga, which was originally developed for meat, is now used for ornamental purposes. It has iridescent beetle-green feathers, black bills and feet, and dark brown eyes.
Silver Appleyard Duck
This domestic duck breed from the United Kingdom is bred for meat and eggs. It was invented in Suffolk in the 1930s and brought to the United States in the 1960s. The Silver Appleyard has a broad, deep chest, a silvery underside, bronze tail feathers, and a yellow bill.
Dutch Hook Bill Duck
The Dutch Hook Bill is a domestic duck breed distinguished by its distinctively curved, downward-sloping bill. It is one of the oldest duck breeds, with records dating back to the 1600s. Only about 800 egg-laying female Dutch Hooks exist in the world, making this a critically endangered breed.
The Golden Cascade
The Golden Cascade is a domestic duck breed that was introduced to the market in the mid-1980s. It’s a fast-growing breed that’s self-sexing and lays a lot of eggs. Golden Cascades are distinguished by their golden, buff, or fawn plumage, white underbodies, and yellow beaks.
Domesticated Ducks
Domesticated ducks are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Ducks, while primarily used for meat and eggs, can make excellent pets for bird lovers.
The Crested Duck
The Crested duck gets its name from a genetic mutation that causes a crested skull deformity. The breed is mostly kept as a pet or as decoration.
American Perkin
The American Pekin, also known as the White Pekin, is a white domestic duck breed that is raised for meat. The American Pekin, which descended from birds brought to America from China in the 1800s, has a large, solid body and creamy white feathers. Pekins account for more than half of all ducks bred for slaughter in the United States.
Duck Muscovy
This large domestic duck is indigenous to Central and South America. In Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, they are a popular breed. Muscovy ducks are black or white in color with large red or pink wattles around the beak.
Indian Duck Runner
The Indian Runners originated on the Indonesian islands. Instead of waddling, they stand erect and run like penguins. They rarely build nests and instead lay their eggs wherever they happen to be. Indian Runners have gray plumage, long necks, and curling tails.
