Black and White Duck Breeds: A Comprehensive Guide

There are many different sizes, shapes, and colors of duck breeds. Breeds of duck recognized for their distinctive black-and-white coloring are popular selections for farms and home flocks.

These duck breeds are quite different from one another, while having similar color mixes. Their temperament, appearance, and quality of meat and eggs vary. Therefore, you should investigate the distinct qualities of each black and white duck breed before selecting one, either to identify the one you want to raise or just to observe in its natural environment. We have conducted extensive research on your behalf to compile a list of black-and-white duck breeds just for you, saving you time and effort.

You may learn more about some of the most popular breeds of black and white ducks from this list, along with some of their key traits. Continue reading to identify the breed that appeals to you!

Types of Black and White Ducks

Each type of duck on our list has a distinct black-and-white appearance. Not to mention stylish, in my opinion. Despite their initial similarity, they vary in terms of temperament, longevity, weight, size, capacity to produce eggs, and quality of meat. Look through our collection of black and white duck breeds to pick the one that suits your needs.

1. Magpie Duck

used for meat, eggs, and displays
Temperament: calm, energetic, and prone to agitation
Life Expectancy: 8–12 Years
Male (5–6 lbs.) / Female (4.5–5 lbs.)
Dimensions: Medium
Medium-sized to big eggs in the colors blue, green, and white

As to the Cattle Conservancy, which is the foremost organization in America for safeguarding endangered breeds of poultry and cattle, the Magpie duck is a long-bodied, light bird with unique black and white plumage. Other unusual color variations created by duck breeders exist as well. The following traits apply to all Magpie ducks, regardless of the color of their feathers:

Magpies are very active rummaging birds that forage for and munch on grass, seeds, insects, and aquatic life for their substantial ration of food;
Each year, magpies lay between 220 and 290 greenish-blue eggs with brown specks. They are excellent moms and egg layers.
They lay their eggs one week ahead of the other varieties of ducks.
Select energetic, strong-legged animals from high-producing families if you want high egg output;
The flesh from Magpie ducks is of gourmet grade, with enough for two to three persons per duck;
Although they can’t fly, they can jump over a wall that is two to three feet high;
If given ample space and a pond, magpies are an active and healthy breed that enjoys rummaging; they are a peaceful animal that only become agitated and scared when they feel threatened.

Magpies are able to adjust to a variety of weather situations with ease. In general, this breed of black and white ducks is excellent for novices.

2. The Ancona Duck

Used for: Pets, meet, and eggs
Temperament: Calm and compliant
Ten-year lifespan
Weight: 6-8lbs for men and 6-7lbs for women
Dimensions: Medium
Large white, colored, blue, green, and speckled eggs are available in various sizes.

Though a little bit tougher, the Ancona duck is closely related to the Magpie duck. This breed comes in two other color variations in addition to black and white, and there is even a tricolored Ancona duck. The American Poultry Association does not recognize this uncommon breed of black and white ducks, however, breeders advise that three-quarters of the duck’s plumage should be white and the other quarter should be colored. Let’s look at some more characteristics of Ancona ducks:

This breed may be used for a variety of tasks and is resilient;
The Ancona ducks lay between 210 and 280 white, cream, or blue eggs annually, making them excellent egg layers and suitable moms;
The eggs of the ancona enlarge with maturity.
Unlike other Pekin ducks, they develop swiftly and provide meat that is tasty, high-quality, and lower in fat;
The Ancona breed is a great option for a pet if cared for promptly since it doesn’t fly or go far;
The ancona is a friendly duck that like to remain around the pond. Because of its size, it has a little probability of being eaten by avian predators.

The Ancona’s exceptional egg-laying abilities, peaceful nature, and delicious meat make it a wonderful addition to any small farmstead or backyard flock.

3. Pomeranian duck

used with eggs and meat.
Personality: Inquisitive, amiable, and cautious
Life Expectancy: 8–12 Years
Weight: 5.5 lbs for women and 6.5 lbs for men
Dimensions: Medium
Large black and white and blue and white eggs are examples of egg size and color.

Black and white and blue and white are the two distinguishable double colorations of the Pomeranian duck. While black and white is less frequent than blue and white, there is a rare, yet unidentified, brown variation. Prior to bringing the Pomeranian duck into your flock, you should also be aware of the following facts:

Pomeranian ducks lay 80–100 eggs year, which is not the ideal amount of eggs to lay;
They are a popular delicacy because of their soft and flavorful flesh, but recently, its primary function has been ornamental breeding;
The bodies of Pomeranian ducks are quite wide and lengthy;
Pomeranian ducks are mostly bred for their mouthwatering meat and eggs, but sometimes breeders rear these ducks to give their backyard or farm flock a little more aesthetic appeal;
Some of them are submissive and gregarious, while others are rather hostile.

Start breeding Pomeranian ducks, and you’ll be able to tell when someone is approaching since they’re a great watchdog breed. They’re black and white. These ducks will make sure there are plenty of sounds to greet your guests.

4. The Muscovy Duck

Used with: Eggs and meetings
temperament: kind, serene, and compliant
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years; in captivity, it may reach 20 years.
Male: 10–12 pounds; female: 4-6 pounds
Dimensions: Large
Egg size and color: Cream-colored, medium-to-largely white eggs

The huge, hefty Muscovy black and white duck breed may reach a maximum wingspan of 64 inches. The male ducks may weigh up to 15 lbs. and have difficulty flying, although the females are somewhat lighter and can fly. In addition to the classic shades of black and white, Muscovy comes in a variety of hues, including purple, bronze, green, blue, black, chocolate, and more. The following special qualities are also present in the Muscovy duck:

The Muscovy has an unusual skull with a “facial mask” that is dark red or blackish in hue;
Males need 29 weeks to achieve maturity, females take 28 weeks, and mating occurs from August to May;
Every year, the Muscovy breed lays 60–120 medium–to–largely white, cream-colored eggs that are higher in albumin than chicken eggs;
Although the Muscovy breed is polygamous, the male contributes by guarding the nest and the ducklings;
It has almost 50% more breast meat than a conventional duck, 98% fat-free strong taste meat (like roast beef, veal, or ham), and less fat and calories than a turkey;
Unless it is assaulted or agitated, this duck is peaceful and quiet (the female has a gentle voice, while the male has low vocalization);
Although the Muscovy is a hardy breed of duck, be aware that in colder locations, its huge caruncles may be vulnerable to frostbite.

In case you’re looking for a black and white duck breed that has a high laying potential, the Muscovy may not be the greatest option. However, the Muscovy may be the ideal duck for you if you’re looking for a calm, amiable pet with a unique personality that develops slowly and isn’t aggressive (well, not until mating and rearing season).

5. The Crested Duck

used to produce meat, eggs, and sometimes display items
Persona: amiable but anxious
Life Expectancy: 8–12 Years
Male (7 pounds) / Female (6 pounds)
Dimensions: Medium
Egg dimensions and hue: sizable eggs with a white or blue hue.

Another well-known breed of black and white duck is the Crested duck. You can see buff, blue, and gray Crested ducks even if the other color variants are not identified. Although this medium-sized breed becomes anxious easily when startled, it gets along well with kids and its breeders. They also get along well with different breeds of ducks and possess the following traits:

The Crested duck is an excellent pet because, despite its nervousness, it is generally calm;
With the right care, domestic Crested ducks may live up to 20 years longer than their wild counterparts;
If you want to keep them for the eggs, they consistently lay between 100 and 130 eggs year;
Crested ducks reach adulthood early and begin to produce eggs at the age of five to six months;
Larger, richer in yolk, protein, minerals (zinc, magnesium, and selenium), and taste, crested duck eggs are an excellent source of nourishment;
They are productive producers of meat, but not of a lot of it; rather, they create meat that is nutritious, soft, and devoid of fat.
In contrast to other duck species, crested ducks don’t have high food consumption needs or extravagant housing needs.

Raising Crested ducks might be a good option for you if you’re looking for a black and white breed that looks good and yields a respectable amount of meat and eggs. They are peaceful, kind, and simple to nurture. Just be careful to delegate the breeding to experts.

6. Bufflehead Duck

used with eggs and meat.
Temperament: Not as gregarious as most ducks
Average lifespan: 3 years
Weight: 1.1 lbs for men and 0.7 lbs for women
Dimensions: Minimal
Egg dimensions and hue: tiny, buff or cream-colored eggs.

A wild, small, and gregarious diving duck, the bufflehead differs from the other black-and-white ducks on our list. Large flocks of these ducks are uncommon to see; pairs and small groups are more common. The term “bufflehead duck” refers to the male’s puffed head shape. These ducks are distinguished by the following traits and are found near bodies of water (ponds, lakes, salt bays, and rivers):

They are excellent divers who look for food beneath the surface;
Female buffleheads deposit eight to ten or six to twelve eggs, which require 29 to 31 or 28 to 33 days to hatch;
The young ones make their first flight between 50 and 55 days after leaving the nest one or two days after hatching, following their mother to the water;
Plants, mollusks, and aquatic insects are consumed by buffelhead ducks.
Due to their delicious and tender meat, buffehead ducks are a treat for many duck enthusiasts;
Their yolks are a deep yellow color, and their eggs are a great source of protein, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Bufflehead ducks are fairly elusive, making it difficult to catch them even though it’s legal. But, you will undoubtedly have a delicious feast if you are able to capture even one specimen of this black and white duck breed.

7. Greater Scaup

used with eggs and meat.
temperament: calm
Life Expectancy: 10–12 Years
Weight: 2.15 lbs for women and 2.32 lbs for men
Dimensions: Medium
Medium-sized, olive-colored eggs with a brownish-buff hue

Another wild black-and-white duck breed that inhabits shallow ponds and lakes is the Greater Scaup. They live in shallow waters for easy access to food and higher-ground wetlands for protection from the wind.They consume aquatic insects, mollusks, plants, and seeds, much like Bufflehead ducks do. The habits of the Greater Scaup duck breed are as follows:

They typically look for food during the day, but if there are too many boats around during the day, they will also look at night;
In places shielded by thick grass and sedge, the females make a tiny dent close to the water’s edge where they build their nests on the ground;
Typically, the females cover the nest with a thick layer of feathers that are either removed from their breasts or from under the feathers on their outer bodies;
Greater Scaups are expert divers who can reach depths of up to 23 feet in search of food.
During the breeding season, Greater Scaups are monogamous ducks that mate for life each year;
Greater Scoup females are more likely than males to return to the same breeding sites the following year. Males engage in an interesting courtship ritual in which groups of up to 17 ducks surround a single female while calling and fighting for a spot near the female.

The Greater Scoup has a breeding population of 780,000, according to Partners in Flight. Because of its rates on the Continental Concern Score, this black-and-white duck breed is classified as a Common Bird in Steep Decline, meaning that it has lost 50% of its population in the last 40 years. Numerous factors, including hunting, pollution, and climate change, are to blame for the decline.

Final Thoughts

Black and white duck breeds, whether domestic or wild, are truly breathtaking! If you’re searching for a new breed of duck for your flock or backyard, there are plenty to pick from. If you are searching for these beauties in the wild, you can locate them close to water and enjoy them from a distance. In any case, make the most of the knowledge on our list to become well-versed in the traits of the black and white duck breeds so that you can provide them with the affection and attention they so richly deserve.