Yahoo Lifestyle 12 Cute Duck Breeds You Need To See To Believe
When it comes to cute and cuddly-looking animals, baby ducks are often at the top of the list. That's because most of these birds start off with soft and delicate-looking down feathers, giving them a warm and welcoming appearance. But some cute duck breeds keep that snuggly look well into maturity, earning them plenty of "oohhhhs" and "aahhhhs" throughout their lives.
From Pekin ducks that feature a soft yellow fuzz after their birth to eye-catching Mandarin ducks that earn themselves quite a reputation once spotted in the wild — we're looking at you, Central Park's "Hot Duck" — there's a lot of cuteness to go around. And while some of these ducks make great pets, especially for those who are looking to add a few prolific layers to help their backyard flocks produce extra eggs, others are best left in the wild where they can be admired from afar.
Of course, that doesn't mean that any of the ducks not mentioned on this list of the cutest duck breeds need to get their feathers ruffled. While most ducks are undeniably adorable, these breeds just have a little something extra going for them. Whether it be their unique markings, bold colors, or even thick plumes, there's just something different about these birds.
Pekin
The Pekin is one of the most common breeds of backyard ducklings, and it's easy to see why they're a fan favorite. As hatchlings, these little yellow cuties are absolutely adorable balls of fluff that have garnered attention both in the literary world and in art.
In fact, tons of children's toys and books feature illustrations of this breed of duck, thanks to how cute and recognizable it is.
If you're thinking of adding a few of these to your flock, you'll want to remember that these cuties lose their soft yellow down as they age, so they won't be this adorable forever.
RELATED: Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds That Are Too Cute
Wood
With big fluffy plumes on the tops of their heads, Wood ducks are distinct among many other breeds. But what really sets these birds apart is the unique profile of the female duck, which features a patchwork of white feathers around their eyes.
That doesn't mean that males are left lacking in the looks department since these birds also have striking features, including iridescent feathers in their plume.
Common Goldeneye
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the eyes of the common goldeneye can't be ignored. As their name indicates, these birds have bright yellow to golden colored eyes that stand out against the metallic green of the feathers around the head of the males and the brown to black feathers that appear on the head of the females.
If you're hoping to entice some of these birds to join your backyard flock, you may want to add a nesting box to your yard to invite a pair of the ducks ahead of mating season. Of course, that's only if you live in one of the few areas of the northern U.S. where these birds breed.
Call
If you want to see a duck that looks like it's ready to be cuddled to sleep, then you'll want to check out the Call duck. This breed is known for its large and fluffy body, which includes a set of chunky cheeks that you'll just want to pinch and squeeze.
These ducks come in a variety of colors and include chocolate, silver, and a snowy white.
But don't let these adorable ducks fool you; even though they look primed for snuggling, these birds prefer a hands-off approach and are better appreciated from afar.
White-Faced Tree
Also known as the white-faced whistling duck, these ghostly ducks are aptly named after the white mask they appear to wear on their faces.
Native to South American and sub-Saharan Africa, it's unlikely that many people will be able to come across these winged cuties in the wild. That being said, there are zoos that keep some of these in enclosures so that people can learn about them, and hear their unique birdsong — which, you guessed it, sounds like a whistle.
Mallard
When you think of ducks, the bird you picture is most likely a Mallard. This is because these ducks are seemingly everywhere, with populations spanning from South Africa to North America.
And while the mature versions of these ducks can vary in color depending on whether they are male or female, their hatchlings all sport the same cute yellow and brown markings.
Mandarin
While baby ducklings are notoriously cute — hence why so many of their photos are featured on this list — there's no denying the striking beauty of the Mandarin duck.
Between the bold and beautiful colors and the unique feather shapes, this bird is hard to miss when spotted in the wild.
In fact, one such duck even went viral in 2018 when he was spotted living in Central Park, earning himself the name "Hot Duck" thanks to all the media attention he garnered!
Khaki Campbell
It doesn't get much cuter than the Khaki Campbell ducklings. That's because these birds have a soft chocolate brown down when they hatch, giving them the illusion of having a layer of fur on their slender bodies.
The cuddly-looking birds also have matching brown bills and feet, which gives the females a fetching monochromatic look when they begin to mature. The males, on the other hand, have a little more variety in the coloring.
But both birds eventually grow up to have adorable curls on their tail feathers, giving their silhouette the appearance of a singular separate tail that wags when they're happy.
RELATED: Cutest Cat Breeds You'll Want to Bring Home ASAP
Goosander
Sea ducks are unique for many reasons, and the Goosander is no exception. Native to areas ranging from Europe to North America, these ducks have sharp and serrated bills that help them to catch their pray in the ocean. And while they are often called "sawbills" because of this, their beautiful coloring and attractive plumage makes them quite a sight to behold.
Red-Crested Pochard
Known as a diving duck, the Red-Crested Pochard is a stunning rust-colored duck native to the lowlands of southern Europe.
These ducks can be found abroad as well, but thanks to their diving nature, they prefer to remain in areas where they can have plenty of access to aquatic plants.
Like every other duck on this list, the males are the real showstoppers since they are the ones with the bright red beak that lends to their dramatic profile. Female red-crested pochards, on the other hand, tend to be a lighter brown color.
Pacific Black
It's all about the eyes with the Pacific black duck, whose markings draw attention to their eyes, which can appear almost red.
But once these birds take flight, their true beauty can be observed since their colorful wing panels make a stunning contrast to their plain brown feathering.
These panels can appear to be either purple or metallic green, which makes them easy to identify when they're spotted in the wetlands, ponds, and other waterways they call home.
Ruddy Shelduck
Named for its beautiful coloring, the ruddy shelduck is a larger-sized bird that can be found across much of Asia, eastern Europe, and northwestern Africa.
But thanks to the bird's migratory nature, people from other places may soon get to catch a look at these beautiful birds as well since they are frequently on the hunt for new areas to call their own.
You'll be able to identify one if you see them in the wild thanks to their shockingly different feathers that appear to change from the white and rust color you can see while they're at rest to the black "flight feathers" that come out when they travel by air.
You Might Also Like
