 | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Call Duck |
| Distribution |
|
| Use | |
| Traits | |
| Colour | about twenty recognised colours[4][5] |
| Classification | |
| APA | [6]: 18 |
| EE | no[7] |
| PCGB | [8] |
| |
TheCall duck is a historicbreed of smalldomestic duck.[9][10][11] It is believed to have originated in theNetherlands, where the earliest descriptions and depictions of it date from the seventeenth century. It is similar in appearance to some other breeds of duck, but is much smaller, with a round head and very short bill. Ducks, but not drakes, are very loquacious and noisy, with a piercing high-pitched call that can be heard from far away and from which the name derives.[12]: 88 [13][14]: 157
The Call was in the past used as adecoy duck to attract wild ducks into traps.
The first recorded mentions of the breed are from theNetherlands where it was used as a decoy and known as a coy or decoy duck. The high-pitched distinctive call was used to lure other ducks intofunnel traps. Later, hunters would tether call ducks to draw other species within range. It is believed to have originally come from the Far East, although no records of its introduction to the Netherlands exist. Other bantam breeds are known to have been imported to the Netherlands in the seventeenth century and Van Gink, writing inThe Feathered World in 1932, supposes "There is a possibility that importations were made by Dutch captains from Japan ... especially as the Call Duck's type is very different from the ordinary European type of duck to sport from it, and since they breed so true they must be a very old-established breed."
The Call duck was present in the British Isles by the mid-nineteenth century; an early description is that ofJames Joseph Nolan, published in Dublin in 1850.[14]: 157 It was among the four breeds of duck included in the firstpoultry standard – theStandard of Excellence ofWilliam Bernhardt Tegetmeier – in 1865.[15]: 54
The name Call Duck is derived from the breed’s historical use as a live decoy. The small ducks were kept to “call” wild ducks toward hunters by making loud, persistent quacking sounds. In this context, the word call refers to their distinctive vocal behavior rather than a human-given name. The term appears in English records from the 18th and 19th centuries, when the breed became popular among waterfowl keepers in the Netherlands and later in Britain (British Waterfowl Association, 2025).[16]
The Call duck is small, with an average weight of approximately800 g; drakes may weigh up to100 g more, and ducks up to100 g less.[4]
In the Netherlands about twenty colours are recognised;[4] about the same number are recognised by the British Waterfowl Association and thePoultry Club of Great Britain in the United Kingdom.[5][17]: 410 [a] In the United States the grey and white varieties were included in the firstStandard of Perfection of theAmerican Poultry Association in 1874; six other colours were added between 1977 and 2007.[6]
Call Ducks are known for their lively and sociable nature. They are often kept in pairs or small groups, as they enjoy interaction with other ducks and can become stressed if kept alone. The breed is notably vocal, producing a high-pitched “call” that can be quite loud, especially among females. This strong voice was originally bred for attracting wild ducks, but in domestic settings it can make them unsuitable for noise-sensitive environments.
In terms of temperament, Call Ducks are generally friendly and curious. They can become tame with regular human contact and are popular as ornamental or companion ducks due to their manageable size and engaging behavior. However, they require clean water for swimming, secure housing, and adequate space to express natural foraging and social behaviors.
In the second edition of theAustralian Poultry Standards, published in 2011, the Australian Call Duck is described as a separate breed from the Call Duck of Europe, with a different range ofplumage colours and a rather larger body size. It has been suggested that it developed independently in South Australia as a dwarf mutation in the domesticmallard.[18]: 22 [19]
Call Ducks are now bred and kept throughout much of the world. The breed remains especially popular in Europe and North America, where it is maintained by dedicated breed clubs and exhibited at poultry shows. In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, it is one of the most common ornamental duck breeds. [16]
In Australia, a distinct strain known as the Australian Call Duck has developed, often slightly larger in size and available in a wider range of plumage colors than the traditional European type. Call Ducks are also bred in parts of Asia, particularly in Japan and Southeast Asia, where they are valued as companion and display birds (British Waterfowl Association, 2025).[16]
The Call Duck is recognized in a wide range of color varieties by poultry associations worldwide. The Poultry Club of Great Britain recognizes more than twenty standardized colors, including white, black, blue fawn, apricot, silver, mallard, and pied. In North America, the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA) recognize several varieties, with white, gray (mallard), snowy, and blue fawn among the most popular. [16]
The Australian Call Duck includes both traditional and newer color forms, with breeders producing additional hues through selective breeding. Color patterns can vary between regions, reflecting differences in show standards and local breeding history (Backyard Poultry, 2025).[16]
Call Ducks are often kept as pets, ornamental birds, or in small home flocks. Their friendly and curious nature makes them suitable for interaction with people, and they can become tame with regular handling. They are popular in urban or backyard settings where their small size and engaging personality are appreciated. Their high-pitched vocalizations, however, may make them less suitable for noise-sensitive environments (British Waterfowl Association, 2025).[16]
Call Ducks require appropriate housing that protects them from predators and harsh weather. A clean and secure pen with access to water for swimming and bathing is essential. Their diet typically consists of waterfowl feed supplemented with grains, greens, and occasional treats. Good hygiene, proper nutrition, and regular monitoring help prevent common diseases such as duck viral enteritis, avian influenza, and parasitic infections.[16]
For breeding, Call Ducks usually reach sexual maturity around 5–6 months of age. They lay relatively small clutches of eggs compared to larger duck breeds. Selective breeding focuses on size, color variety, and temperament. With proper care, the average lifespan of a Call Duck is 7–10 years, though some individuals may live longer in ideal conditions (Backyard Poultry, 2025).[16]
British Waterfowl Association.Call Ducks. British Waterfowl Association, www.waterfowl.org.uk/domestic-waterfowl/call-ducks/. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
“Australian Call Duck.”Backyard Poultry, www.backyardpoultry.com/australian-call-duck. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.