Despite the name, the Australian Spotted was made in Pennsylvania — John Kriner and Stanley Mason built it in the 1920s from Call, Mallard, Northern Pintail and an unidentified Australian wild duck, and it has never been recognised by the American Poultry Association. It is a true bantam duck at barely two pounds, which makes it one of the smallest breeds available and a practical choice where space and feed are limited. Small size has not cost it usefulness: it lays better than most bantam ducks, is an excellent natural mother, and is a determined forager on insects and slugs. It also flies well and will roost out of reach, so it needs a covered run.
Quiet breed
Good with kids
Cold hardy
Heat tolerant
Broody
Egg colorCream, Blue Or Green
Egg production50–125 / year
TemperamentDocile
BroodinessFrequent
ClimateCold hardy, Heat tolerant
PurposeShow, Ornamental
FlightStrong Flier
Weight
Duck2–2.2 lb
Drake2.1–2.5 lb
How to spot it
Bill
Olive to blue-green in the drake; dark-shaded yellow in the duck
Carriage
Nearly horizontal, small and neatly proportioned
Plumage
Duck is heavily spotted brown-and-white over a pale ground; drake has a green-black head with a chestnut and grey body
Legs & feet
Orange
Look for
A two-pound duck with distinct dark spotting — smaller than a Call but far less round
Find Australian Spotted breeders near you
No breeders currently list this breed — post a wanted ad or check back soon.
