Call Duck: Complete Care Guide

In this guide

Small, round and famously vocal, the Call Duck brings genuine personality to a backyard setup, provided you have the outdoor space one needs.

Originally bred in the Netherlands as a hunting decoy, prized for a loud, high-pitched call used to lure wild ducks within range, the Call Duck has since become one of the most popular small duck breeds kept simply for companionship and its undeniably endearing looks. It is worth noting upfront that this is a genuine outdoor bird, not a cage bird, and belongs in this series primarily for households with garden or farm space rather than a typical apartment setup.

Characteristics and behaviour

With a round, compact body, a short bill and large dark eyes, the Call Duck has an almost toy-like appearance that has made it a favourite for backyard keepers and exhibition alike. Despite their small size, they retain the ability to fly, unlike many domestic duck breeds, and will readily do so unless housed in a fully covered enclosure. They are generally friendly, social birds that bond well with their keeper and with other ducks, and hand-raised individuals can become genuinely tame, tolerating gentle handling.

Diet

A quality waterfowl feed appropriate to the bird's life stage, supplemented with fresh greens and occasional treats such as peas, forms the core of a Call Duck's diet. Constant access to clean water is essential, both for drinking and because ducks use water to help clear food and keep their eyes and nostrils clean.

Habitat and maintenance

Call Ducks need secure outdoor housing with protection from predators, ideally a covered run given their retained flying ability, along with constant access to a water source for bathing. Their loud call is worth taking seriously before committing to this breed, since it can genuinely be a source of complaint from neighbours in a built-up residential area.

Lifespan

With good care, Call Ducks typically live 8 to 12 years, with some reaching 15, a solid, long-term commitment for a backyard bird.

A realistic look at keeping one in India

This is a breed developed for cool, temperate climates in the Netherlands, and it is not widely established in Indian aviculture the way budgies or cockatiels are. Anyone in India considering a Call Duck should think honestly about the practical fit: reliable access to fresh bathing and drinking water is essential, extreme summer heat in much of the country needs shaded, well-ventilated housing to avoid heat stress, and sourcing a bird from a genuine, health-checked breeder rather than an unverified seller matters even more here given how limited the established supply chain is.

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