Duck Friends

Duck breeds

Sizes, eggs, noise and temperament for pet duck breeds, with the sources behind every number. Tick two to four to compare them side by side.

White Call duck perched on a wooden post at sunset

A tiny bantam duck bred centuries ago to lure wild ducks into traps, with a high loud quack, a friendly manner and the ability to fly.

Weight, drake: 1.38–1.62 lb (0.63–0.74 kg)Eggs per year: 20–50Noise: LoudFlight: Strong flier
Black Cayuga drake with a green iridescent head walking on grass beside water

America's own duck breed, glossy black with a green sheen, calm-looking but jumpy on paper, a modest layer that tends to stay close to home.

Weight, drake: 7–8 lb (3.18–3.63 kg)Eggs per year: 60–180Noise: QuietFlight: Can't fly
White Crested duck in profile showing the crest

A medium-sized duck with a puff of feathers on top of its head, one of the oldest fancy breeds, and a nervous temperament on the hatchery's own scale.

Weight, drake: 6–7 lb (2.72–3.18 kg)Eggs per year: 60–130Flight: Can't fly
Fawn Indian Runner duck standing upright on grass

An upright, flightless, penguin-shaped egg layer from Indonesia that runs instead of waddling, forages hard and startles easily.

Weight, drake: 4–4.5 lb (1.81–2.04 kg)Eggs per year: 100–180Flight: Can't fly
Khaki Campbell drake with a bronze-green head and a curled tail feather, standing on paving

The classic laying duck, a lightweight English breed in one plain khaki colour, with sky-high egg counts, a lot of energy and a nervous streak.

Weight, drake: 4–4.5 lb (1.81–2.04 kg)Eggs per year: 165–300Flight: Short hops
Black Muscovy duck in profile showing red facial caruncles

Not a mallard descendant at all. A South American perching duck that is quieter, calmer and a far better flier than the usual backyard breeds, with strong drakes.

Weight, drake: 10–12 lb (4.54–5.44 kg)Eggs per year: 60–150Noise: QuietFlight: Strong flier
Two white Pekin ducks standing among green plants

The big white duck most people picture, bred in China and now the main meat duck in the US, which also lays well and stays flightless in a backyard.

Weight, drake: 9–10 lb (4.08–4.54 kg)Eggs per year: 100–200Flight: Can't fly
Rouen drake with a green head and grey body standing on grass

A big, calm duck coloured like a wild mallard but several times heavier, in two very different types, a laying farm strain and a much larger show strain.

Weight, drake: 9–10 lb (4.08–4.54 kg)Eggs per year: 35–180Noise: ModerateFlight: Can't fly