Call Duck
The Call Duck is a bantam breed of domesticated duck raised primarily for decoration or as pets. Call ducks look similar to Mallards, but are smaller in size.
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[edit] Characteristics
The Call Duck is an energetic and active duck. It is small, weighing around 0.68 kg (1.5 lb) with a plump bowl-shaped body; a wide, rounded head; tiny, broad bill and short legs. It is vocal with a high pitched call. The female Calls are more vocal then the males. The Call Duck comes in a variety of standard colours including White, Gray, Blue, Buff, Pastel, Khaki, Butterscotch, Chocolate, Snowy, Spot and Black & White Magpie. Nonstandard colours include Blue Fawn, Nutmeg, Self Black, Cinnamon and Crested. It produces 25–75 eggs a year.
[edit] Weight
Drake 1 1/4lbs-1 1/2lbs
Duck 1 lbs-1 1/2lbs
[edit] History
The first recorded mentions of the breed are from the Netherlands 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 into funnel traps. Later, hunters would tether Call Ducks to draw other species within range of the guns. 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 17th century and Van Gink, writing in The 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."
It was introduced to British Isles by the 1850s. [1][2][3] By 1865, it was one of the first six waterfowl breeds to be standardized there, but by the middle of the 20th century they were rare. Determined efforts by a few breeders re-popularized the breed and today they are common. In the United States, the Gray and White varieties were listed in the first Standard of Perfection in 1874 and in 1935, the use of Call Ducks in Duck Hunting was permanently banned in every state as it was considered a cruel and inhumane practice. They are popular exhibition birds and win more duck championships in shows in North America than any other breed.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ History of Call Ducks
- ^ http://www.irishfowl.com/irish-poultry-breeders.php?q=call%20duck&name=Call%20Ducks
- ^ Ornamental, aquatic, and domestic fowl, and game birds: their importation, breeding, rearing, and general management by Nolan, James Joseph.
- Dave Holderread (1978). Storey's guide to raising ducks. Storey. pp. 24–26. ISBN 1-58017-258-X.
- "History of Call Ducks : Decoy Ducks". Call Duck Association UK. http://www.callducks.net/history.htm. Retrieved 11 December 2006.
[edit] External links
- Call Ducks page on the British Waterfowl Association Website
- The Call Duck Association (UK) Website
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