Ducks

The Runner, also known as Indian Runner, weighs 4-4.5 lbs. Their slim bodies and long necks have prompted the description of a “wine bottle (or bowling pin) with a head and legs.” Its head is slender with eyes set high, the bill is straight and light yellow or orange, or even black. Their legs are set far back on their bodies resulting in the upright carriage characteristic of the breed. Typical carriages are 45 to 75 degrees above the horizontal, but when agitated, some runners stand fully upright. Drakes have curly tail feathers, but the ducks do not. There are more color types of Runners than any other duck breed. No matter what color they are, they have pink skin. Because of its small size, this duck isn’t valued primarily as a meat bird, but many regard Runners as tasting similar to wild ducks.

Life Span: 8-12 YEARS

Weight: 3.1 and 5.1 LBS

Height: 20-30 INCH

The exact history of the crested duck is unclear, but they’ve likely been around since the 1600s. Apart from the crest, the Crested is an ordinary-looking duck of medium size. It may be of any color, although in the United States only black and white are recognized; in the UK, as in several other European countries, any color is permitted. The crest varies widely in size, from unnoticeably small to a diameter of approximately 13 cm. They have long, slightly arched necks, medium-length bodies, and much depth and fullness through the breast.

Life Span: 8-12 YEARS

Weight: 2-7 LBS

Because of its size, somewhat upright carriage, and plumage pattern, it is believed that Magpies may descend from Runner ducks and the Huttegem, an old Belgian duck breed with possible Runner breed ancestry that was raised during the 1800s. The Magpie is a long-bodied bird, with a broad head and a long orange or yellow bill that may turn green in older ducks. They have orange legs and feet that may be mottled. Their body carriage is 15-30 degrees above horizontal when relaxed, and slightly higher when agitated. Standard varieties include Blacks and Blues. Some breeders have also developed non-standard color varieties.

Life Span: 9-12 YEARS

Weight: Male 5-6 LBS | Female 4.5-5 LBS

For many years, the origin of Ancona ducks was speculated to be in Britain. However, after extensive searches in the United States and Great Britain, newly found information points to the breed being created in America. The Ancona duck has many similarities with the Magpie duck but is a bit stockier. It is a medium-sized layer duck breed. The Ancona duck has a medium-sized oval head. They have a bill that is slightly concave along the top line, and is of medium length. Their neck is average which arches forward slightly. Their body carriage is 20-30 degrees above horizontal. The breed is unique among the ducks for their broken, mottled plumage. 

Life Span: 10 YEARS

Weight: 5-6.5 LBS

The Pekin duck was developed in China from which it was imported to Great Britain in 1872. It is bred in one variety, white. A creamy white plumage and orange shanks and toes are desired. The bill should be rich yellow in color, and black in the bill or bean is a serious defect. The shape of the body is long, broad, deep and full breasted, allowing it to carry an abundance of meat. The Pekin duck weighs around 8 lbs while the drake weighs 9 lbs. The Pekin, while a major commercial duck, is becoming more popular as a pet. They live up to 8-12 years. Ducklings have yellow feathers.

Life Span: 8-12 YEARS

Weight: 9-10 LBS

Height: 20 INCH

The mallard is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and prefer to congregate in flocks of varying sizes. The mallard is one of the most recognizable bird species around the world. Males of this species are particularly colorful. Breeding males have a yellow beak, dark brown chest, black and white tail as well as bright green head and neck. They exhibit a white ring at the base of their neck. In addition, the sides of breeding males and most of their wings are gray. On the other hand, the plumage of female mallards and non-breeding males is less vivid and colorful. The overall plumage of female mallards is spotted with tan and brown patches, and the head is a lighter tan, showing dark bands near the crown and eyes. 

Life Span: 3-20 YEARS

Weight: 1.5-3.5 LBS

Length: 19.7-25.6 INCH

The Mandarin duck is a perching duck species native to the East Palearctic. It is closely related to the North American Wood duck. Adult males are striking and unmistakable, with a red bill, a large white crescent above their eyes, and a reddish face with "whiskers". Their breasts are purple with double vertical white bars and their flanks are red and have two orange "sails" in the rear. During molting, the males resemble the females but their red bill is their point of difference. The females' bills are pinkish and they are much less colorful than males. They are pale beige with a thin white flank stripe and a white underbody and have a white eye ring from where a stripe runs to the back of their heads.

Life Span: 3-12 YEARS

Weight: 15.1-24.4 OZ

Height: 16.1-19.3 INCH