25 Different Types of Duck Breeds Every Backyard Owner Should Know
October 11, 2026
Only two wild birds are responsible for nearly every domestic duck breed alive today. Out of the 162 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 and the Mallard. Everything from the giant white Pekin gracing American dinner tables to the tiny, big-eyed Call duck kept as a house pet traces back to one of these two ancestors.
Understanding the different types of duck breeds matters whether the goal is fresh eggs, a meat bird for the freezer, a quiet backyard companion, or simply the most low-maintenance bird species that will tolerate a small yard. Some breeds practically raise themselves and make excellent choices for beginners; others demand more space, more feed, and more patience. This guide breaks down 25 breeds recognized around the world, with practical notes on temperament, purpose, and care so it’s easier to pick the right duck the first time.
Pro Tip: If this is a first flock, look for breeds described as calm, hardy, or dual-purpose. They tend to forgive beginner mistakes far better than high-strung exhibition strains.
1. Pekin
The American Pekin is the duck most people picture when they hear the word “duck.” The large, white Pekin duck is the most popular domestic duck breed around. Bred originally in China before being brought to Long Island, New York, the Pekin became the backbone of the American duck industry.
According to Maple Leaf Farms, White Pekin accounts for 95% of duck consumption in the US. Part of that popularity comes down to flavor and efficiency: White Pekin duck offers a tender, mild meat that is preferred by most Americans and is also lower in fat and higher in protein than other breeds.
Beyond the dinner table, Pekins are a favorite starter breed for anyone new to keeping water birds. Janet Garman of The Timber Creek Farmer notes that this is a great breed for beginners, since Pekins are hardy, good layers, and friendly, and it is easy to tell drakes from hens thanks to the drake’s curled tail feather. That easy sexing alone makes Pekin a smart pick for anyone who wants simple bird care without guesswork.
2. Muscovy
The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) isn’t technically a duck at all in the genetic sense — it’s a separate species entirely. Commonly referred to as a duck, Muscovies in fact are a different species than the Mallard duck relatives. That distinction shows up in behavior, appearance, and even reproduction.
Muscovies carry large, fleshy red growths called caruncles around the eyes and typically come in dark brown or black-and-white plumage. Muscovies are shaped like a duck and are able to mate with a duck, but the offspring will be sterile and are referred to as mule ducks. This cross-species pairing is exactly how the Moulard breed, covered later in this guide, comes to exist.
For anyone hoping to raise easy care pet birds without upsetting the neighbors, Muscovy has a major advantage. They do not quack; the male has a low breathy call and the hen a quiet coo, which makes them perfect for backyard farmers with close neighbors. Ann Accetta-Scott of A Farm Girl in the Making adds that Muscovy ducks are a dual-purpose breed that lay well, make good broody hens, and produce dark meat similar to veal. Many small-scale keepers pair a quiet Muscovy pair with a garden and a few beehives, since both animals forage happily around the same yard without much conflict.
3. Mallard
Nearly every barnyard duck breed on this list owes its existence to one wild bird. The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the classic green-headed duck seen on ponds throughout North America, and it is thought to be the breed that nearly every domestic breed of duck is derived from, so its traits show up in many domestic breeds.
Domesticated Mallards are farmed only on a limited scale in the US. Mallard duck is a wild duck that is farm-raised on a limited basis and is commonly seen in lakes, streams, and backyards throughout the US. Because they’re closer to their wild roots, farm-raised Mallards tend to taste gamier and leaner than Pekin. The Mallard duck is smaller and tougher than the White Pekin, with very little fat but a taste that’s often described as greasy and gamey. Waterfowl enthusiasts who enjoy Mallards often also keep swans on the same pond, since both species tolerate cooler climates and mixed flocks well.
4. Aylesbury
The Aylesbury is a heavy, all-white English breed once raised commercially around the town of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. It’s built for meat production, with a broad, deep keel and pink-tinted bill that sets it apart from other white breeds.
There’s a common mix-up worth knowing before buying: not all white ducks seen at farms are actually Aylesburys, just as not every white goose is an Embden. Many commercial “white ducks” are actually Pekin crosses bred for fast growth rather than purebred Aylesbury stock. True Aylesburys have become rare as a result, and anyone raising ducks alongside larger livestock like cattle breeds chosen for meat will recognize the same commercial pressure that pushed heritage duck lines toward faster-growing hybrids.
Important Note: If breed purity matters for showing or conservation, buy Aylesburys only from a breeder who can document bloodlines, not simply from a hatchery listing “white duck.”
5. Rouen
The Rouen looks like an oversized Mallard, and that’s essentially what it is: a heavy French table breed developed to carry Mallard coloring on a much bigger frame. Drakes show the same iridescent green head and chestnut breast as wild Mallards, just scaled up for meat production.
Once larger Rouen and Pekin breeds of duck are added to a flock, many keepers end up building a separate duck house rather than mixing them in with chickens, since Rouens grow considerably heavier than standard layer breeds. That size and calm temperament make Rouen a reasonable dual-purpose option for anyone comparing it against dual-purpose livestock like the breeds covered in this guide to sheep breeds, where the same meat-and-byproduct logic applies.
6. Indian Runner
Nothing else on a pond looks quite like an Indian Runner. This breed stands nearly upright, giving it the nickname “bowling pin duck,” and it walks or runs rather than waddling like most other breeds.
The Indian Runner and Pekin are both breeds of duck descended from the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Despite that shared ancestry, Indian Runners went on to become the foundation for an entire family of egg-laying breeds. Other breeds followed as mutations of the Khaki Campbell, along with crosses back to Indian Runners, the most famous being the Abacot Ranger and the Welsh Harlequin. The upright posture is such a defining trait that breeders talk about it the way enthusiasts discuss gait in certain horse breeds — it’s a signature the breed is judged on.
7. Call
Call ducks are proof that small can still be loud. One of the two smallest duck breeds recognized by the APA, Call ducks were originally bred to fit inside duck hunters’ pockets and used their loud, persistent quack as live decoys to call in wild waterfowl.
Once live decoys were banned from hunting, the breed found a new purpose. Call ducks gained popularity for exhibition and as house pets, and they have a sweet, endearing personality and love interacting with their favorite human. Show-quality Calls should weigh less than 2 pounds, and the APA recognizes color varieties including Blue Bibbed, Blue Fawn, Buff, Butterscotch, Chocolate, Gray, Pastel, Snowy, and White. For anyone drawn to genuinely low maintenance bird species, Call ducks pair well with other small, easy-care pets — many keepers who like tiny animals also gravitate toward sugar gliders for the same reason: minimal space, big personality.
Common Mistake: Housing Call ducks with large, heavy breeds like Pekin or Rouen. Their small size makes them easy targets for accidental injury during feeding or mating scrums.
8. Cayuga
The Cayuga holds a unique spot in American poultry history. It is the only duck breed developed in the United States, originating near Cayuga Lake in New York. Its plumage is solid black with a beetle-green iridescent sheen that catches the light beautifully outdoors.
Cayuga eggs are just as distinctive as the birds themselves. Cayuga ducks produce dark-shelled eggs that are different from other duck eggs. That dark shell tends to fade to a paler gray or white as the laying season goes on, which surprises a lot of first-time keepers. Anyone interested in dark-plumaged waterfowl in general should also check out this roundup of black duck breeds, which covers Cayuga alongside other dark varieties in more depth.
9. Khaki Campbell
If egg production is the goal, Khaki Campbell is usually the first breed recommended. Khaki Campbell ducks are commonly known for their exceptional egg-laying capability. The breed was developed in England by Mrs. Campbell of Uley, and she had produced the Campbell duck by 1901.
The numbers back up the reputation. Khaki Campbells are considered among the world’s best layers, with commercial strains capable of producing over 300 eggs per year. That output rivals what dedicated dairy producers expect from top milking goat breeds in terms of consistent, high-volume production from a single small animal. Khaki Campbells are also relatively calm foragers, which makes them a solid choice among the best beginner birds for anyone whose main goal is a steady egg supply rather than showmanship.
Pro Tip: Khaki Campbells lay best on a consistent feeding and lighting schedule. Erratic care cuts egg output noticeably faster in this breed than in slower-laying heavy breeds.
10. Black East Indies (East Indies)
Despite the name, this bantam breed has no confirmed link to the East Indies at all — it’s simply a small, glossy black duck that looks like a miniature Cayuga. If the Cayuga look is appealing but something smaller is wanted, the East Indies bantam breed looks very similar to the Cayuga.
The plumage is the real draw here. Often referred to as Black East Indies, this breed resembles a miniature Cayuga and is nicknamed the Labrador for its black plumage with iridescent shades of green, blue, and purple. That shifting, jewel-toned sheen is reminiscent of the color displays found in purple birds, where iridescence rather than pigment creates the color. Black East Indies are almost exclusively kept as pets or exhibition birds rather than for meat or eggs, given their small size.
11. Swedish (Blue Swedish)
Blue Swedish ducks carry a soft blue-gray body with a crisp white bib running down the chest and throat, a pattern breeders call “laced” when it’s evenly marked. The breed is medium-sized and dual-purpose, raised for a mix of eggs and meat rather than excelling dramatically at either.
Because the blue coloring is genetically unstable, Blue Swedish flocks often produce black or splashed offspring alongside true blue birds, which is normal rather than a sign of poor breeding. Temperament-wise, Swedish ducks tend to be calm and adaptable, making them a reasonable middle-ground choice for keepers who want something hardier than a bantam but less demanding than a heavyweight meat breed.
12. Saxony
Saxony ducks were developed in Germany after the Second World War, bred specifically to combine size, egg production, and attractive coloring in one dual-purpose bird. Drakes display a blue-gray head, chestnut breast, and cream-buff body, while hens are a soft buff-fawn overall.
The breed’s calm, friendly disposition has made it popular with small-scale keepers who want a duck that produces well without being flighty. Saxony hens lay a respectable number of eggs each year while still reaching a solid table weight, which is why the breed is often grouped with other genuinely dual-purpose options like Buff Orpington and Silver Appleyard.
13. Buff Orpington
Buff Orpington ducks share their name and warm buff coloring with the famous Orpington chicken, and for good reason — both were developed by the same breeder. Cook of Orpington was working on the Buff Orpington duck as early as 1894 to 1898.
The breed sits at the heavier end of the light-to-medium scale. Orpingtons are at the heavier end of the scale at up to 7 to 7½ pounds and can be regarded as dual-purpose birds. That dual-purpose reputation, plus a generally docile temperament, makes Buff Orpington a favorite for anyone who already keeps chicken breeds and wants a duck that fits the same relaxed backyard routine. They also tend to be enthusiastic foragers, happily hunting slugs and beetles alongside beneficial garden insects like ladybugs.
14. Bali
Bali ducks come from the island of Bali in Indonesia and are among the oldest domesticated duck breeds still kept today. Bali duck is an ancient type of domestic duck found in Bali, Indonesia.
The breed is most recognizable for a curling crest of feathers on top of the head, similar to but distinct from the dedicated Crested breed covered later in this guide. Bali ducks are known locally for strong egg production and are typically kept for eggs and light meat use rather than exhibition, since the breed standard outside Indonesia remains loosely defined.
15. Shetland
Few duck breeds are rarer than the Shetland. The Shetland Duck is a breed of highly endangered waterfowl native to the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Its isolated island origin means the breed developed with minimal outside genetic influence for generations.
Shetlands are small, hardy, and typically colored black-and-white or blue-and-white, well suited to the cold, damp climate of their native islands. Because the population remains so small worldwide, anyone interested in the breed should expect to work with a dedicated conservation breeder rather than a standard hatchery.
16. Abacot Ranger
The Abacot Ranger is one of several light breeds built on Indian Runner ancestry, developed specifically for egg production with a bit more visual flair than a plain Khaki Campbell. Abacot Ranger ducks, also known as the Hooded Ranger in America and Streicherente in Germany, were created in Colchester, Essex, UK, from 1917 to 1922 by Oscar Gray.
The breed is frequently confused with its close relative, the Welsh Harlequin. It’s easy to confuse the Welsh Harlequin with the Abacot Ranger, since they are similar in color except the Abacot carries an additional brown gene. That extra gene gives Abacot Rangers a warmer, honey-fawn tone on the breast rather than the crisper markings seen on Welsh Harlequins, according to Poultry Keeper’s breed profile.
17. Silver Appleyard
Silver Appleyard is a dual-purpose breed developed by Reginald Appleyard in England, prized for a striking silver-and-white drake pattern paired with genuinely good egg production for a heavy-classed bird. The breed comes in a standard size and a smaller miniature version bred specifically for smaller backyards.
The Silver Appleyard duck is officially classified as a heavy breed, while the Silver Appleyard Miniature falls under the bantam and call duck classification. That split lets keepers choose the version that fits their space, without giving up the breed’s signature calm temperament and attractive coloring.
18. Magpie
The Magpie duck earns its name from a bold black-and-white pattern that mirrors the bird it’s named after — a saddle of solid color running down the back against an otherwise white body. It’s a light-to-medium breed developed in Wales in the early twentieth century, primarily for egg production.
Magpies are at the heavier end of the light scale at up to 7 to 7½ pounds and can be regarded as dual-purpose birds, laying well while still offering a reasonable carcass. The breed’s clean, high-contrast markings also make it one of the more popular choices for exhibition among light breeds, alongside Ancona.
19. Ancona
Ancona ducks share the Magpie’s love of pied, broken-color patterns, but with a much more random, mottled distribution of color rather than the Magpie’s clean saddle marking. No two Anconas look quite alike, which is part of the breed’s appeal for keepers who like variety within a single flock.
Developed in England in the early 1900s, Ancona is a genuinely dual-purpose bird, laying a solid number of eggs while still reaching a respectable table weight. The breed is calm, hardy in cold climates, and forages well, making it another reasonable option among the simple bird care for beginners category alongside Buff Orpington and Saxony.
20. Crested
The Crested duck is defined by a single feature: a pom-pom style crest of feathers sitting on top of the head, caused by a genetic mutation affecting skull shape. The trait can appear on nearly any base color or pattern, which is why Crested ducks come in white, black, and mixed varieties.
The Crested may be reared for eggs and meat like any other duck, and the eggs may be blue, green, tinted, or white. The birds may also be kept for showing or for ornament rather than production, since the crest itself has no bearing on egg or meat output. Breeders do need to watch for the skull-related health issues that can accompany the crest gene, particularly when breeding two heavily crested birds together.
21. Welsh Harlequin
Welsh Harlequin emerged from a happy accident: a handful of pale-colored ducklings that appeared as natural mutations within a flock of Khaki Campbells in Wales during the 1940s. Breeders selected for the trait until it stabilized into its own recognized breed, prized for attractive fawn-and-white coloring and strong egg laying.
Despite its popularity with small-scale keepers, the breed’s genetic diversity remains a concern. Conservation status is listed as critical by the FAO, at risk or endangered by DAD-IS, and a priority breed by the RBST. That combination of good looks, good production, and genuine rarity makes supporting a dedicated Welsh Harlequin breeder more meaningful than buying from a general hatchery.
22. Dutch Hookbill
The Dutch Hookbill is instantly recognizable by a beak that curves sharply downward, unlike the flat, straight bill of nearly every other duck breed. The Hook Bill or Dutch Hookbill is a Dutch breed of domestic duck, named for its unusual down-curved beak.
This is also one of the oldest documented duck breeds in existence. It is documented in both text and images from the late seventeenth century onwards. Despite that long history, the breed is now rare outside dedicated conservation flocks, and the curved bill has no impact on the duck’s ability to forage or eat normally.
23. Moulard
The Moulard isn’t a naturally occurring breed at all — it’s a deliberate hybrid, produced by crossing a Muscovy with a Pekin or other Mallard-derived breed. Like the mule ducks described earlier in this guide, Moulards are sterile, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming an important commercial bird.
Muscovy and Moulard breeds are served in restaurants occasionally in the US, prized specifically for their large, rich breast meat and liver, which is commonly used for foie gras production. Moulards combine the size of the Pekin parent with the leaner, gamier flavor inherited from the Muscovy side.
24. Termonde
Termonde is a rare Belgian breed, closely related to the similarly obscure Dendermond duck, and it’s kept almost exclusively by small conservation-minded breeders in Europe today. Documented breed standards are sparse compared to internationally recognized breeds like Pekin or Rouen.
Important Note: Published information on Termonde ducks is limited and often inconsistent across sources. Anyone seriously interested in the breed should contact European heritage poultry organizations directly rather than relying on general hatchery descriptions.
25. Herve
Herve is another Belgian regional breed with a similarly thin documented history, named after the town of Herve in the country’s Liège province. As with Termonde, the breed exists mainly among heritage poultry keepers rather than commercial hatcheries.
Belgium’s cluster of small, locally named duck breeds — Herve, Termonde, and their relatives — reflects a broader European pattern of village-level poultry breeding that never scaled up to national or export markets the way English and French breeds did. That makes them fascinating from a conservation standpoint, even if detailed care data is harder to come by than for mainstream breeds.
With 25 breeds ranging from the ubiquitous Pekin to the nearly undocumented Herve, the different types of duck breeds available today cover almost any goal a keeper could have. Beginners chasing easy care pet birds tend to do best starting with Pekin, Khaki Campbell, or Buff Orpington, while anyone drawn to rare or ornamental birds has plenty of options among the Crested, Shetland, and Belgian regional breeds. Whichever direction feels right, matching breed temperament and purpose to the space available is still the single best predictor of success with a first flock.