Cayuga Duck

Adults have striking beetle-green or purple iridescent black feathers that can catch the light, combined with a characteristic white bib on the chest which may sometimes reduce or disappear with age. Females typically have a darker bill that can transition to olive-black.

Brilliant iridescent black plumage, distinct white patch on the breast (bib), dark bill, and dark legs.

Length: 50-60 cm, Wingspan: 80-95 cm, Weight: 2.5 - 3.6 kg

Females produce a loud, classic quack; males produce a softer, quieter, raspy sound.

Omnivorous; feeds on grains, seeds, aquatic plants, insects, slugs, snails, and small amphibians.

Domesticated environments including farmyards, pastures, and artificial ponds or lakes.

Non-migratory resident, completely dependent on human care or local domestic environments.

Nests on the ground in hidden, sheltered spots using grass and down feathers; lays clutches of 8 to 13 tinted (often dark grey or blackish) eggs, with a 28-day incubation period.

Black Swedish duck, which also features a white bib but typically has blue-grey plumage rather than iridescent green-black.

As domestic livestock and ornamental birds, they play a minor role in localized pest control and organic fertilization in agricultural and backyard settings.

Not Evaluated by the IUCN (Domesticated breed, though listed as 'threatened' by the Livestock Conservancy due to heritage breed status).

Best observed in domestic farmyards, homesteads, or public parks with ponds containing heritage or ornamental waterfowl collections.

Cayuga duck eggs often start out jet black or dark grey at the beginning of the laying season and gradually lighten to a pale green or white as the laying season progresses.