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Call Ducks

The Call duck is the smallest breed of domestic duck, weighing only 1-1/2lbs. They were literally developed as calling ducks, to call down the wild mallard to the great traps or decoys of the Fenlands of the UK and the marshes of Holland. They were first known as the decoy duck, the name coming from the Dutch word 'de kooi' meaning 'the trap or cage'.

First standardized in the UK in 1865, their origin is known to be Dutch - but where did the Dutch get them from? Decoy ducks were used in Holland in the 1600s, but these are thought to have been decoy ducks by training (i.e. tame ducks) rather that the true Decoy or Call. The Call itself seems to have suddenly become popular in Holland around 1800. For this reason, it is suspected that the birds could have been imported from the Far East.

  Calls were virtually unknown in the show pen from 1900 to the 1970s. Then their popularity took off. They are now the largest entry at a show, often reaching over 300 at the BWA's Championship Show at Solihull Riding Club (the first weekend in November each year). Calls are cheap to keep and transport but really difficult to breed and find a winner. They are wonderful pets.

Lots of information about this breed can be found on the Call Duck Association pages at http://www.callducks.net. The 1999 British Waterfowl Association Standards book has four colour plates, by the waterfowl artist Carl Donner, covering eight of the nine standardized colours. There is a full standard description of all nine colours.