The Shetland duck is a breed of
domestic duck
Domestic ducks (mainly mallards, ''Anas platyrhynchos domesticus'', with some Muscovy ducks, ''Cairina moschata domestica'') are ducks that have been domesticated and raised for meat and egg (food), eggs. A few are kept for show, or for thei ...
originating in the
Shetland Islands
Shetland (until 1975 spelled Zetland), also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland
Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the Uni ...
of
Scotland
Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
.
["Shetland - Duck breed"](_blank)
Britannic Rare Breeds. Retrieved 2014-3-25. It is critically endangered.
History
The Shetland duck is thought to have evolved from the
Pomeranian or
Swedish Blue
The Swedish Blue () or Blue Swedish is a Swedish List of duck breeds, breed of domestic duck. It originated in the former Dominions of Sweden, dominion of Swedish Pomerania – now in north-west Poland and north-east Germany – and is documented ...
, due to its similar appearance. It is thought that the Vikings brought the Shetland to the
British Isles
The British Isles are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean off the north-western coast of continental Europe, consisting of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner Hebrides, Inner and Outer Hebr ...
Characteristics
The Shetland is a small, hardy breed; it is active and forages well. It is essentially a smaller version of the Swedish Blue, but with black plumage where the Swedish has blue; the black has glossy green and blue lights in it. The birds usually have a white bib, and may have some white on the head; they may become paler as they age, in some cases turning almost entirely white. The bill and legs are black in the duck: in the drake, the legs may carry some orange, and the bill may be tinged with yellow.
Use
The Shetland is a good layer; the eggs are of a good size and range in colour from white to grey.
See also
*
List of duck breeds
This is a list of the breeds of domestic duck which have official recognition at national or international level.
Most breeds of duck derive from the wild mallard, ''Anas platyrhynchos'', while a small minority are descendants of the Muscovy duc ...
*
Shetland animal breeds
References
{{British livestock, R.4
Duck breeds
Shetland animal breeds
Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy