First rule of thumb: If your weird duck is found at a park, walking around on the grass or coming near people, it is probably a domestic duck.
But, these domestic monsters do get mixed up in flocks of wild birds, too, so how do you spot them? Only two species of ducks have been domesticated: the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and the Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata.
Mallard breeds can be somewhat confusing. They can be larger than normal or much smaller, darker or lighter, all white or all black. Watch for the little curled feathers on the back of the male, above the tail. Only the Mallard and its domestic descendants have those. Well, the Hawaiian Duck does too, but the chances of seeing one of those around here is about zero.
Again, lots of white is often involved, including all-white breeds like the popular Pekin Duck. Another common form is the bibbed version. It has a sort of normal body and head plumage, and a white chest. Other forms and crosses can have spots of white just about anywhere. Usually these white spots are not symmetrical across both sides, and that asymmetry should tip you off to think domestic influence. The passion for weird plumage in domestic ducks does not stop with white, but can go the other way too.
Some breeds are darker than normal Mallard plumage. This duck is dark all over and rather iridescent, like its shiny speculum feathers got spread over the entire bird.
Very handsome, indeed. Just be aware that very odd things exist in the world of domestic poultry, and oddity should make you consider domestic origin. Body size can often be a clue toward domesticity. The first breeds of domestic Mallard were bred for food, and consequently for large body size. A domestic duck can be twice the size of a wild Mallard. But, domestics can be smaller than normal too. Indian runner ducks are long and lean. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors.
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At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. It is used to describe domestic animals that have been artificially bred for specific qualities and characteristics for several generations until they breed true. Since all of our domestic duck breeds except the Muscovy are descended from the same species the Mallard , they can interbreed with one another and any wild Mallards that fly into the breeding pen!
We can see an example of this interbreeding on many lakes and ponds worldwide, where domestic ducks have been released and bred with the local Mallard population. It does not cover wildfowl. There are a staggering species of ducks, geese and swans in the wild today.
Ducks are classified under the Anseriformes family and range dramatically from small teals to geese and swans. Out of the wild species of ducks, geese and swans, just two of them have been used to create the domestic duck breeds we have today: the Muscovy Cairina moschata and the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos shown here. The Mallard is commonly seen in the wild on lakes and rivers in the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere is accepted as being the ancestor of all except one of our domestic duck breeds the Muscovy.
Domestic ducks have been selected for specific looks, behaviour, colours or qualities over many generations but the large Aylesbury or the tiny Call duck are all the same species as the wild Mallard. There are four breed standards for ducks in the world:. Duck breeds are categorised into different classes. When entering them into shows, there are often prize cards for different classes and individual breeds.
Besides my own photos, I have to give an extra special thank you to Rupert Stephenson, poultry photographer who has worked with me to capture some of the pictures for this duck breeds guide.
Most importantly, I would also like to thank the British Waterfowl Association and Poultry Club of Great Britain for allowing Rupert and I to photograph their ducks at various poultry and waterfowl shows over the years.
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