Ducks are waterfowl with various breeds hailing from places all over the world. While some ducks are quite common, some are very rare and found only in certain areas or on special farms. The rarest duck breed in the United States is not on this list, but it is the Cinnamon Teals. These are the rarest duck breeds in the world, and detail about their stand-out features and where they’re from in the world. You can get an idea of how many are left globally and the best places to find them.
Wild Duck Species
Many of the most endangered and rarest ducks are going to be wild. Let’s take a look at some of the rarest wild duck breeds around.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Ducks
Barrow’s Goldeneye Ducks are unique looking, and the adult male is usually black and white with Golden gets. The family tends to be brown and white with golden eyes. Both have unique-shaped heads that make them stand out. The females are distinctive because they have a yellow bill, and the males have a black bill.
Habitat
The Barrow’s Goldeneye ducks are found in mountainous areas such as Quebec and Iceland. They enjoy living and breeding in freshwater ponds in the higher elevations. They also prefer areas with dense forests and prefer birch trees, spruces, and balsam firs. However, in the harsh cold of winter, they migrate to saltwater areas where the water doesn’t stay frozen.
One unique feature of this breed is that they dive for their food. They can go far below the surface to catch crayfish and other bottom-dwelling prey, but they also scavenge the surface too. When it comes to nesting, these ducks prefer to use dead logs or other cover to protect their eggs. They usually lay eggs above the ground, sometimes over 40 feet, to help protect them from various animal predators.
Population
According to conservationists, there are only approximately 180,00 of the Barrow’s Goldeneye ducks in the world. Their numbers are dwindling, and conservationists are making an effort to help them sustain their numbers.
Reason for Decline
Unfortunately, the primary reason for the Barrow’s Goldeneye ducks’ decline is due to one event: The Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. It decimated the local ecosystem of where the ducks spend their winters, and the numbers since have never recovered.
White-Cheeked Pintail Ducks
The White-Cheeked Pintail duck is a tropical bird found in South America, the Caribbean, and even Florida on occasion. As far as terrain, they’re found both on the coastal borders and along with the inland areas such as Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, and more. There’s also a subspecies located in the Galápagos Islands called the Galapagos Pintail.
Habitat
It’s commonly found in brackish waters and is sometimes called a Summer duck. This species is considered to be a dabbling duck. The distinguishing characteristics of this duck include white cheeks with brown bodies and gray and red bills.
These birds prefer a saltwater ecosystem and like to spend time in tidal areas, mangroves, and lagoons for protection. These ducks prefer to nest in tall grass and other areas with dense cover to avoid being disturbed. These ducks are also non-migratory and prefer to stick to areas they know.
Population
Currently, their numbers are decreasing but haven’t yet decimated to the point of becoming endangered as numbers go.
However, they haven’t reached the endangered threshold of under 10,000 breeding pairs but have a highly fragmented population across various parts of the tropical regions.
Reason for Decline
They are quite rare, and there are issues with illegal hunting, contributing to the decline. These are also sedentary, or non-migratory, ducks. The food supply in their native habitat has been negatively affected by the human population, which may be a contributing factor in their dwindling numbers.
Silver Teal Ducks
Silver Teal ducks might also go by the name Versicolor Tea. Unlike many other duck species, this particular duck’s breed has similar-looking males and females. These ducks have striking bluebills and feet and brown and white variations for plumage.
Habitat
This variety of duck is commonly found from South America through the Southern US. Their natural habitat is freshwater marshes and wetlands. However, they’re also known to frequent slow-moving rivers and lakes.
One thing that makes these ducks unique is their long life span. While in captivity and with the right conditions, they can live up to 20 years. However, that figure is less in the wild due to predators and other conditions.
Population
Although they aren’t classified as endangered, they are rare in the US and are commonly found away from towns and cities.
Their overall populations are somewhere between 25,000 and 100,000 in total in the wild. While that sounds like an adequate number, it could be an indication of a declining breed.
Reason for Decline
While we don’t know with any certainty that their numbers are declining, we do know that their total population is not as large as it should be given their extensive habitat.
Madagascar Pochard Ducks
The Madagascar Pochard duck’s entire breed was likely endangered since their distinction from more common ferruginous ducks living alongside them. It wasn’t until 1894 that scientists made a distinction, which prompted them to gather as much information as possible. In the 1920s and 30s, they seemed to gravitate to Lake Alaotra but are scarce in all areas today.
This breed of duck is a brown chestnut hue with darker variations in the males. The duck’s eyes are dark except for the breeding male’s first season. Then the iris turns white, but the rest of the duck’s lifetime offers darker colored eyes. They have gray bills and feet and have distinctive calls that can easily distinguish between males and females.
Population
When mentioning rare duck breeds, of course, the Madagascar Pochard is one of the most endangered. They are considered critically endangered and have only approximately 90 known individuals living in the wild.
Habitat
Their entire breed was likely endangered since their distinction from more common ferruginous ducks living alongside them. It wasn’t until 1894 that scientists made a distinction, which prompted them to gather as much information as possible. In the 1920s and 30s, they seemed to gravitate to Lake Alaotra but are scarce in all areas today.
Reason for Decline
The primary reason for that decline is numbers related to humans hunting. Though to have declined the duck’s populations, the other reason was certain types of fish introduced into the area that actually killed the ducks’ offspring.
Ruddy Ducks
Ruddy Ducks are a smaller type of stiff-tailed duck found primarily in North America. They have scoop-like bills and short, thick necks. They are ambler than Goldeneyes and have blackhead and brown chestnut-colored bodies and a striking blue bill.
Habitat
Their habitat consists primarily of ponds and marshes, but you can find them in estuaries and the coastal areas of the continent. They are also found congregating with other common duck species living in the same areas. They prefer tall grasses and open spaces with plenty of diversity in the ecosystem.
Population
These ducks dive and swim, which helps them gather prey at the bottom of the waterways they inhabit. Originally, this duck breed was imported from the UK in 1948 and has continued to expand its habitat all over the North American continent.
The population is only around 10,000 globally, with only about 5,000 in Great Britain and approximately 6,000 in North America.
Reason for Decline
As with most of the declining populations on this last, the Ruddy duck is facing dangerous levels of decline thanks to humanity. We have over-hunted this breed and have destroyed much of its natural habitat.
Domesticated Ducks
Not all rare ducks are wild. The most endangered and rarest of all domesticated ducks are as follows.
Bali Ducks
As the name may suggest, the Bali duck originates at the island of Bali. It is characterized by its upright gait and crest of feathers on the top of its head. It is also known as the Balinese Crested or Crested Runner duck.
It comes in many color combinations, but it is most frequently white, brown, or mallard.
Reason for Decline
Unfortunately, the reason that this type of duck has such low numbers is due to the very crest that makes them stand out from others. When two Bali ducks mate, most of the offspring are too sick to survive if they make it through gestation at all.
Instead, they need to be crossbred with other species, like the Indian Runner. Then, less than half of the eggs will have the crest that makes them so unique.
Buff Orpington Ducks
The Buff Orpington was created in Kent, the United Kingdom, by William Cook of Orpington. It’s a combination of a Cayuga, Aylesbury and Rouen, as well as an Indian Runner. He was attempting to get a specific color scheme, known as buff.
They come in fawn-buff as well as seal-brown, and the drake has a yellow bill with the hen having a brown-tinted orange bill. Both sexes have orange legs and feet.
Reason for Decline
It’s classified as “at risk” due to the limited number of ducks that have been bred. It’s a heritage breed, and they can only be purchased through special retailers and breeders. There are just over a thousand of this breed in the United States, with their numbers unlikely to increase.
Cayuga Ducks
As its name implies, this breed originates in New York State, named after the Cayuga tribe indigenous to the area. These ducks are very striking with black feathers that gleam with iridescent green, much like a beetle. Their feet and bills are black as well, and they have deep brown eyes.
Reason for Decline
Back in 2008, the Cayuga was listed as “threatened,” but they have since moved up to only the “watch” list. Their decline is likely twofold: firstly, because it is difficult to selectively breed, but secondly, because it was replaced as the most popular meat duck. Their dark feathers made them hard to clean and sell, so a duck with lighter feathers surpassed them in popularity, the American Pekin.
Saxony Ducks
Bred in Saxony, this is a large variety of duck, known for being muscular, with a full, wide breast. It comes only in buff-blue mallard. The hen is a light buff color with white stripes while the drake has a gray-blue head that fades into rust or chestnut feathers.
Reason for Decline
The reason for their decline is somewhat sad. They were originally bred in the 1930s, but they, like many others, were a casualty of the war. Their population was devastated during the Second World War, and they have not recovered since.
Shetland Ducks
From the Shetland islands, possibly brought there by Vikings, these small ducks are unfortunately critically endangered. They are a glossy black with iridescent green-blue overtones, like the Cayuga, only with stripes of white down their breast. The ducks have black legs and bills, but the males have orange.
Reason for Decline
Until the 1990s, most thought that all Shetland ducks had gone extinct. However, a flock was spotted, and thus a breeding program was able to be begun to save them. However, they are still on the brink of extinction, likely due to a decline in their food sources.
Silver Appleyard Ducks
Bred by Reginald Appleyard in Suffolk, this type of duck was originally intended to be a source of meat and eggs. Appleyard tried to establish a standard for the breed but was unable to do so before he died. It wasn’t until the 1980s that a standard was indeed set.
They are large, with plenty of meat, and are a lovely silver color. The drakes may have a reddish breast, but their wings are silver and white, with a touch of blue, and bronze-ish tail feathers. The duck has white plumage, marked with silver and brown.
Reason for Decline
It is listed as “threatened,” likely because the breed is relatively new and was not well established to begin with.
Declining Numbers
Across most continents, the number of breeding ducks of all species is in decline or holding steady. There’s not a population increase anywhere recorded recently. One natural reason is several unusual droughts across the globe that cause duck numbers to drop significantly. The unusual weather has a significant impact on animals relying on water for their homes and food.
Another contributing factor is illegal hunting. In many areas of the world, the hunting of ducks on endangered species still occurs. Local authorities have little capacity to enforce regulations, especially in remote areas where there are villages dependent on the local waterfowl to supplement their diets.
How to Protect Wild Ducks
There are a few things people can do to help protect wild ducks. One significant way to help them thrive is to remove garbage from their habitat. If you see a fishing line or other trash, remove it and dispose of it appropriately.
You can also help keep the number of predators down by keeping pets away from the areas where they live. You can also enroll in a conservation organization that collects funding from members or asks for other types of help periodically to preserve their numbers and fund further research and conservation efforts abroad. There are many ways to help whether you live in an area with wild ducks or in an urban city environment.
Farm Bill
Regarding the dwindling waterfowl population numbers, reports concluded that there was a 13% drop in the numbers of ducks globally. The United States took notice of this figure and created a 2018 Farm Bill.
The recent Farm Bill aids in conserving duck populations when there is enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. Farmers are allowed subsidies if they fit the requirements outlined, which helps them sustain duck populations across the country.
Summary
There are many species of rare ducks in the world, so seeing a sign labeled ‘rare ducks for sale’ could very well be true. Several of the previously mentioned breeds have various habitats that span several continents. Whether it’s their natural habitat or they were introduced by early settlers, scientists, and explorers, they made their homes in areas best suited to their biological composition and nesting habits.
The decline of many of these species is related to disruptions to their habitat, such as introducing other invasive predators and even illegal hunting. The more remote species aren’t regulated like they are in other parts of the world; little action results from their endangered status.
To preserve these species of ducks, many farms breed and sell them to ensure their numbers are sustained and can potentially grow. The more remote breeds like the Madagascar Pochard are so rare that none exist in captivity, as far as researchers know.
Although efforts occur in larger countries with more resources, some species of ducks are on the brink of extinction with little hope of recovery due to a lack of conservation resources. The best hope to maintain numbers is to provide farmers with funding to breed and raise ducks of various breeds.