Keeping track of the best can be challenging with all the different duck breeds.
However, some duck breeds are more common than others.
So, this article will cover 14 common duck breeds and what makes them unique and popular among duck enthusiasts worldwide.
1. Indian Runner Duck
Indian runners are a breed of domesticated Duck that originates from Indonesia. They are characterized by their long, slender bodies and ability to run rather than fly.
Indian runners were brought to Europe in the 1600s and have since been bred in many countries. There are now several different types of Indian runner ducks, each with its unique appearance.
The most common type of Indian runner duck is the White Indian Runner, which has white feathers and orange feet. Other popular varieties include the Black Indian Runner, Blue Indian Runner, and Silver Indian Runner.
2. Pekins
Pekins are among the most popular duck breeds and come in various colors. Pekins were initially bred in China and were brought to the United States in the 1800s. These ducks are known for their large size, docile temperament, and prolific egg-laying abilities.
Pekins make great pets and can be found in many different color varieties. Their mellow disposition makes them an ideal choice for families with small children.
However, this is not the best breed for smaller yards because they need more space than other common duck breeds.
3. Khaki Campbell
Khaki Campbells are one of the most popular common duck breeds. They’re known for their egg-laying abilities and can lay up to 300 eggs annually!
Campbells come in various colors, including white, brown, and grey. Khaki Campbells are a great option if you’re looking for a duck breed that is good for eggs and meat.
4. Dutch Hook Bill Duck
The Dutch hookbill is a breed of domesticated duck common in the Netherlands. The species gets its name from its characteristic hooked bill. It is a relatively small duck, with males weighing around 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and females around 2 kg (4.4 lb).
The ducks are primarily white, with some orange on their wings and tail. They are good layers of eggs and can lay up to 200 per year, and their eggs have slightly higher cholesterol than most other breeds’ eggs. They can be cross-bred with other species, as they are very hardy and disease-resistant.
5. Muscovy Duck
The Muscovy duck is a large duck native to Mexico, Central and South America. They are different from other common duck breeds in a few ways. For one, they don’t have webbed feet like most ducks.
Instead, they have scales on their feet, which help them climb trees and walk on uneven ground. They are also the only duck breed to fly without flapping their wings. Muscovies are suitable for meat and eggs and are often used in research because of their unique genetics.
Another way these ducks differ from others is in the color of their plumage; theirs are red-brown or black with white or gold bands across their bodies. These features make these types of common duck breeds very distinctive and beautiful.
6. Silver Appleyard
Appleyards are a famous English breed of domestic Duck. They were developed in the early twentieth century by Reginald Appleyard.
The Appleyard is a large duck, with the males weighing about 8 pounds (3.6 kg) and the females about 6 pounds (2.7 kg).
The most common color is blue-gray, but they also come in white and black. Appleyards are good layers of large, white eggs and are also suitable for meat production. They have been exported to many countries worldwide.
7. Call Duck
Call ducks are the most miniature domesticated duck breeds originally bred in China for hunting. They were brought to Europe in the 1600s, becoming famous as ornamental birds. Call ducks come in various colors: white, black, gray, and brown.
The most common call duck is the mallard-derived American Pekin. Other types include the Khaki Campbell, an Australorp hybrid; Blue Swedish; Buff Orpington; Silver Appleyard; and Crested Dutch. They have stout bodies with rounded heads and short necks.
Call ducks lay around 130 eggs yearly and typically weigh four pounds when fully grown. These common duck breeds also come in bantam size, which weighs two pounds at maturity. They are calm birds that do not need much room to roam around.
8. Cayugas
The Cayuga is a domestic duck breed that originated in North America. They are among the most popular breeds known for their black plumage and greenish-black sheen. Cayugas were first bred in New York in the early 1800s and were used as meat birds.
Today, they are mostly kept as pets or for exhibition purposes. Several different Cayuga ducks include the Standard Cayuga, the Miniature Cayuga, and the Bantam Cayuga.
The Standard Cayuga is the largest of the three and weighs about 8 pounds; the Miniature Cayuga weighs about 6 pounds, and the Bantam Cayuga weighs about 4 pounds.
9. Golden Cascade
The Golden Cascade is a common duck breed native to North America. They are beautiful birds with golden bodies and white wings.
The Cascade is an excellent bird for beginners because they are easy to care for and can be kept in a small space. They are also good layers of eggs and can produce up to 200 eggs annually.
These ducks should not be handled too much as they will quickly get used to being picked up by humans, which could lead them to stop laying eggs. In addition, these common duck breeds do not fly very well, so they should never be let out on their own!
10. Crested Duck
The Crested Duck is a breed of domesticated duck most often found in North America. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive crest of feathers on their head.
Crested Ducks are known for being friendly and docile, making them great pets. While they can be kept as backyard ducks, they require more care than other breeds.
11. Buff Duck
The Buff Duck is a relatively new breed that was developed in the United States in the early 20th century. These common duck breeds are a hybrid of the Pekin and Cayuga breeds, created to be excellent egg-laying birds.
The Buff Duck is a large duck, with males weighing around 9 pounds and females at around 7 pounds. This duck breed is known for its calm and friendly disposition and versatility – the Buff Duck can be used for meat and eggs.
12. Swedish Duck
Swedish ducks are a prevalent breed in North America. It was initially bred in Sweden and is known for being a good egg layer. Swedish ducks are also suitable for meat production.
They are white with orange bills and legs and weigh about 4-5 pounds. They lay around 200 eggs per year. These ducks were first imported to the United States in 1877.
They were first shown at the American Poultry Association in 1878, where they won 3rd place out of 13 breeds but didn’t win again until 1912 when they won first place.
13. East Indie Duck
The East Indie duck is a breed of domesticated Duck originating from Indonesia. As the name suggests, the East Indie duck is indigenous to Indonesia, where it was first bred.
The East Indie duck is a popular breed in North America and Europe. It is also kept as a pet in many parts of the world.
The East Indie duck is a medium-sized breed of Duck, with males typically weighing between 4 and 5 kg (9 and 11 lb) and females typically weighing between 3 and 4 kg (6.6 and 8.8 lb).
The East Indie duck is brownish-black with white markings on its head and neck. The East Indie duck is an excellent layer of eggs, with each hen laying up to 200 eggs annually.
14. Ancona Duck
The Ancona duck is a black-and-white breed of domestic Duck. It was developed in Italy and is named after the city of Ancona. The Ancona is a light breed, weighing only about four pounds.
They are good foragers and do well in free-range systems. Anconas lay about 140 eggs per year. Their eggs have a creamy texture and flavor. Though they produce more eggs than other breeds, their meat has less flavor.
