Domestic ducks have a colour deviation in their plumage when compared to mallards. This colour deviation can vary greatly. For example, some domestic ducks might not have a white neck ring, while others might have a white spot on their heads. In order to tell domestic ducks and mallards apart, it is easier to look at the characteristics of a mallard duck. If the duck doesn’t match these characteristics, then it is a domestic duck.
Latin name: absent
Characteristics:
Domestic ducks can have a wide variety of plumage colours. Both males and females have white sections in their plumage (other than the white neck ring that mallards have), sometimes solid white, in particular on the head, flanks, and underside, other times they have a somewhat elongated build like the Indian runner duck.
Males lack the white neck ring or have a wider neck ring than mallard males (wider than 1 cm). The brown breast can also be much smaller or have a light spot in the middle. In addition, males sometimes have brown coloured flanks instead of grey.
Female domestic ducks sometimes have a partial or full white neck ring. They also often have noticeably lighter or darker plumage with far fewer contrasts than the mallard.
Reproduction:
Domestic ducks mix with the population of mallards. Reproduction takes place in the same way as with mallards. The formation of couples is accompanied by fierce struggle. Males regularly go so far as to try to drown each other to eliminate rivals. Mating is no gentle affair either. A female duck can have a hard time of it if several males want to mate with her.
Ducks have a fairly long mating season: from February to August. During these months, they can lay 2 to 3 clutches of 6 to 10 eggs. The nest is often found near water and consists of a small hole covered with moss and feathers. After 24 to 32 days of brooding, the eggs hatch. The ducklings can swim almost immediately, and, after 50 to 60 days, they can fly.
Diet:
Mallards and domestic ducks ‘dabble’ for food. This means that they hang ‘upside down’ in the water to search for aquatic plants and small aquatic animals. They also eat grass. In parks, however, ducks also devour a lot of other food. They do not shy away from whatever people throw at them or leave behind.
