Indian Runner Duck
(Common Duck-American Heritage)
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
HABITAT AND RANGE:
The Indian Runner Duck is native to the
Indonesian Islands and was introduced to
North America and Europe.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Indian Runner Ducks are one of the most
fascinating ducks. They are best
described as a bowling pin or wine
bottle with feet. They have very long
necks and stand upright. The feet are
pushed much further back on the body
than most ducks. Since the feet are
pushed further back and the ducks walk
upright, they do not waddle. These ducks
run. In size they can be up to 14 inches
and can weigh around 3 to 5 pounds. The
birds are bred in many colors including
white, black, gray, chocolate, fawn,
tan, blue and pencil (fawn and white).
HISTORY:
The Indian Runner Duck breed is believed
to have originated in Southeast Asia.
They are most likely from the islands of
Indonesia, an area once known as the
Dutch Indies, hence the name. In the
1800s a ship’s captain took two of these
ducks from Malaya his home in
Dumfries, Scotland. There the ducks were
distributed across the border into
Cumberland for producing eggs.
DIET:
These ducks eat worms and slugs, along
with grass and duckweed.
REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Indian Runners can produce 365 eggs per
year, more than a chicken. The eggs are
white, off-white, blue or light green.
They are the size of a chicken egg.
