Call ducks, commonly called "miniature ducks," are a captivating breed that has won over fans among both diehard poultry enthusiasts and casual bird watchers. Their vibrant colors, distinctive calls, and delightful antics are a surefire crowd-pleaser. As domestic companions, they're hard to beat. In this article, we share the origins, anatomy, and backstory of what makes call ducks so captivating. We also give a glimpse into how to keep these charming birds in a domestic setting and what to expect from their quirky personalities.

The history of call ducks goes back to 17th-century Holland, where the demand for a small, agile, and vocal duck led to their development. The primary purpose of these ducks was to serve as decoys in the hunting of their larger wild relatives. Indeed, the name "call" duck aptly describes their intended use. Loud and proud, call ducks are most effective when using their voices in the low and high registers. They day-to-day life of a call duck is rather unremarkable; however, if you ever find yourself near a mallard habitat, it is likely that you'll hear their decoys giving it their all.

The compact little call ducks typically weigh between 1 to 2 pounds. Their colors and patterns—white, black, blue, silver, and more—make them a mainstay among poultry popularity contests. The little calls are quite the show ducks. But the single most defining feature of a call duck is how it goes about doing what ducks are well known for: calling. If you've ever heard a quack, then you've been privy to one of the loudest and most easily recognized forms of duck vocalization. However, call ducks do quack (females, anyway). They also go about the business of calling in some of the most entertaining and melodious ways possible.

The specific needs of call ducks must be attended to if they are to be kept in captivity. They do best in spaces that closely resemble their natural habitat. This means that any call duck pen must have a water feature for the ducks to bathe in and to play around in, as is their right as ducks. To eat, call ducks need good feed—balanced to a feather—composed of quality grains that would have made an ancient Roman noble sigh with envy, along with a series of complementary urban foraging vegetables: greens, roots, and whatever else the call ducks can find. All this must be undergirded by an unimpeachable standard of clean water for drinking

Not just backyard companions, call ducks can be seen at poultry competitions, where they are often some of the most popular birds among exhibitors and spectators alike. With their distinctive shapes and colors, call ducks stand out in a crowd. In addition to their physical traits, their voices set them apart. Their quacks may not reach the decibel levels of a regular-sized duck, but when it comes to volume relative to size, call ducks are the loudest among ducks. At poultry shows, call ducks strut their stuff, give a few good quacks, and may just walk away with a blue ribbon. The call duck is a true showstopper.

The call duck is a historic breed that boasts a wonderful culture of its own. They have long been a part of the fancy and have always had a close association with the kinds of people who enjoy ornamental waterfowl. Most people who keep call ducks do so because they adore their personalities and appreciate their looks. Call ducks are a breed that has been miniaturized for centuries. Being miniaturized means that call ducks are not only smaller than other ducks but also have other unusual characteristics (which we will discuss later) that make them different from most other waterfowl. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, call ducks have long been a cherished breed in the avicultural community.