White duck breeds are easily recognized by their pure, bright plumage that often shines in sunlight and gives them a clean, elegant look. Their smooth feathers contrast beautifully with their orange bills and feet, making them stand out in farms, ponds, and parks.
These birds are known for their calm, friendly temperament, making them ideal for small farms and backyard settings. They adapt well to different environments, from open water areas to grassy enclosures, and are often comfortable around people. Their social nature means they prefer to live in groups, where they form close bonds and exhibit playful, cooperative behavior.
White duck breeds are also valued for their productivity and resilience. They are often kept for their eggs, meat, or ornamental presence, depending on the breed’s purpose. Their ability to thrive in varied climates and their relatively low maintenance needs make them popular among both commercial and hobby keepers.
White Duck Breeds
Pekin Duck
Origin: United States (developed from Chinese stock).
The Pekin is the most common commercial duck worldwide, known for its iconic white feathers, orange bill, and legs. It has a long, broad body and a calm disposition. Primarily raised for its tender, flavorful meat, it is also a decent layer of large white eggs. It’s the breed often referred to as the “Aflac” duck.
German Pekin Duck
Origin: Germany.
Similar to the American Pekin but developed as a distinct breed in Europe. It has a more upright stance, a fuller breast, and is often raised as a show bird and for meat. It is pure white with an orange bill and legs, known for being robust and a good forager.
Aylesbury Duck
Origin: England.
A traditional, historic table breed prized for its pure white skin (unlike the Pekin’s yellowish skin), which was considered superior for gourmet markets. It is a heavy, long-bodied duck with a distinctive pinkish-white bill (not orange) and a very calm nature.
Duck (White Variety)
Origin: Unknown, possibly the East Indies or Netherlands.
A unique and ornamental breed easily identified by the large, puffball of feathers on top of its head. This crest is caused by a genetic mutation. The white variety is a stunning, snow-white bird with a bright orange bill. They are medium-weight and kept primarily for exhibition and as pets.
Rouen Duck (White Variety)
Origin: France.
While the standard Rouen is a large, mallard-colored bird bred for meat, a solid white sport color variety exists. These are massive, blocky ducks, even larger and calmer than the colored variety, making them excellent, slow-growing table birds.
Campbell Duck (White Variety)
Origin: England.
The Khaki Campbell is famous for its phenomenal egg production, and a pure white variety was also developed. White Campbells are lightweight, active foragers and can lay nearly as many large white eggs as their khaki cousins, making them a productive utility bird.
Call Duck (White Variety)
Origin: Netherlands.
A tiny, iconic bantam breed originally used as a live decoy, or “call,” to attract wild ducks. The white variety is a small, compact ball of pure white feathers with a short, orange bill. They are incredibly vocal and are now primarily popular as show birds and pets.
Swedish Duck (Blue/Silver Variety often appears white)
Origin: Pomerania (historically associated with Sweden).
While the standard is “Blue” (a slaty-grey), the color genetics often produce birds that are nearly pure white, which are often called “Silver” Swedes. They are a medium-weight, dual-purpose breed known for being very hardy, calm, and good foragers.
Runner Duck (White Variety)
Origin: Southeast Asia (developed in England).
Known for their unique, upright, “wine-bottle” posture. White Runners are a gleaming white with orange bills. They are not bred for meat but are exceptional layers of large white eggs and are famous for their skill at slug and pest control in the garden.
Muscovy Duck (White Variety)
Origin: Domesticated from a wild species in South America.
Muscovies come in many colors, and a solid white variety exists. They are large, quiet ducks with a distinctive fleshy red caruncle on their face, which contrasts sharply with their white feathers. They are excellent foragers and are raised for lean meat and pest control.
Balinese Crested Duck
Origin: Bali, Indonesia.
An elegant, long-lived breed known for its slender body and a soft, flowing crest of feathers on the back of its head. The white variety is pure with an orange bill. They are lightweight, excellent layers of white eggs, and are prized for both their productivity and ornamental beauty.
Welsh Harlequin (Silver & Gold Varieties can appear white)
Origin: Wales.
While not pure white, the silver variety of the Welsh Harlequin is predominantly a very light cream or off-white, especially in drakes, giving them a largely white appearance. They are a lightweight, dual-purpose breed renowned for their prolific egg-laying and calm, friendly temperament.
Magpie Duck (White & Black/Blue Variety)
Origin: Wales.
This breed is patterned with a white body and a colored cap on the head and a saddle on the back. However, some individuals can be predominantly white with only small patches of color. They are a lightweight utility breed, valued as good layers of large white eggs and for their lean meat.
Orpington Duck (Buff and Blue varieties can be light)
Origin: England.
The Buff Orpington is a beautiful apricot-buff color, but the Blue variety can produce birds that are a very pale, silvery-grey that appears nearly white. They are a heavy, dual-purpose breed known for their calm, friendly nature and are good, reliable layers.
Australian Spotted Duck (Can include white plumage)
Origin: United States.
A small, hardy bantam breed. While they are known for their spotted plumage, their base color can be a snowy white, upon which dark spots are scattered. They are excellent fliers and foragers, primarily kept as ornamental birds and for pest control.
Ancona Duck (Light Colored Variants)
Origin: United Kingdom.
Named for their broken, “mismatched” plumage pattern, Anconas can have a base color that is predominantly white with irregular patches of black, blue, or chocolate. They are a medium-weight, versatile utility duck, known for being prolific layers and good foragers.
Duclair Duck
Origin: France.
A traditional, handsome table breed from Normandy. While the standard coloration is a dark, iridescent head and body with a distinctive white bib, a solid white variant is recognized. These are medium-weight, active foragers known for their rich, flavorful meat.
Buff Orpington Duck (Light Variants)
Origin: England.
While the ideal color is a uniform buff, the plumage can range to a very pale, creamy shade that appears nearly white, especially in sunlight. They are a heavy, dual-purpose breed prized for their calm disposition and reliable egg production.
Saxon Duck (Silver & Blue Varieties)
Origin: Germany.
A beautiful and rare breed, the Saxon’s “Silver” variety is a study in soft contrast, with a pale, silvery-blue body and white bib. Some individuals can be very light, appearing mostly white. They are a medium-weight, all-purpose duck valued for both meat and eggs.
Shetland Duck (Light Colored Variants)
Origin: Shetland Islands, Scotland.
A rare, landrace duck known for its hardiness. While they come in many colors, light and nearly white variants exist. They are small, agile, and excellent foragers, thriving on rough pasture and being largely self-sufficient.
Estaires Duck
Origin: France.
A very rare, historic table breed from northern France. It is a large, long-bodied duck, pure white in color with an orange bill. It was once highly prized for its meat quality but is now primarily kept by preservationists and fanciers.