Uses: Exhibition, Utility: meat.
Eggs: 80 to 180 Eggs.
Origin: Wales, U.K.
Weight: Drake: 2.5 – 3.2 Kg, Duck: 2 – 2.7 Kg.
Classification: Light.
Colours: Black & White, Blue & White, Chocolate & White, Dun & White.
Useful to Know: Colour patterns of ducklings do not change as they get older which allows early selection.
Photo: A Black and White Magpie Duck.
The Magpie duck originates from Wales, it was developed by Rev. G. Williams and O. Drake shortly after the First World War, possibly from an old Belgian Huttegem breed that looks remarkably similar in appearance from old paintings at that time.
The Magpie duck is similar in size and shape as the Khaki Campbell. They are predominantly white but have two areas of black plumage a ‘cap’ on the top of the head and patch on the back. The black ‘cap’ becomes flecked with white as the bird ages and some even turn completely white.
Magpie Ducks entered the British Waterfowl Standards in 1926. They arrived in the United States from Great Britain in 1963 and were admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1977 where Black and White and Blue and White colour varieties are standardised.
Photos
Books
The following books are available. Links take you to the Amazon or other sellers’ pages for the books.
- The Domestic Duck – C. & M. Ashton – P.81
- British Waterfowl Standards 2008 – P.84
- British Poultry Standards 2008 – P.428
- American Standard of Perfection 2010 – P.338
Discussion
- Looking for stock? Visit the Waterfowl Section of our Forum
- Please leave a comment below if you can provide further information or have a question about this breed. We are also looking for photos of Blue & White and Dun & White colour varieties.
