Identifying magpie and Ancona ducks

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

We are hoping to get some good references and answers to a question that we have been trying to get a clear answer to through research and comparing photos for a while now, how do you clearly know the difference between magpie and Ancona ducks? They look so similar! Send us some identification pictures and even personality characteristics that help you pros identify each. My 11 yr old daughter is raising Anconas and wants to make sure that she is breeding the “best” ones. Thanks!

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

We are hoping to get some good references and answers to a question that we have been trying to get a clear answer to through research and comparing photos for a while now, how do you clearly know the difference between magpie and Ancona ducks? They look so similar! Send us some identification pictures and even personality characteristics that help you pros identify each. My 11 yr old daughter is raising Anconas and wants to make sure that she is breeding the “best” ones. Thanks!

I have never had a Magpie duck but I breed Anconas and have looked into this a little bit too. I think Magpies have a set pattern and should all look the same. They also have a more slender body type and are smaller. Anconas are stockier, larger, and usually have a wildly marked pattern that is different from duck to duck. They should also have color under the eye while magpies should not. I'll try to dig up some pictures that show the difference!

 

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

Thank you! Some pictures would be very helpful!

 

[Yardmom]

From my understanding magpie have a specific color pattern including a cap. I don't have any magpie only Ancona.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

These are Magpies with the magpie pattern:

And these are Anconas:

There seems to be some variety in Ancona types, but they usually have stockier conformation, thicker necks, rounder heads as opposed to slender heads.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

This shows the difference in head and bill conformation.
Magpie:

Ancona:

 

[telandra2]

Mallard female duck with 2 Extended Black allelles with white spot pattern genes= Magpie duck. It is homozygous for that gene.

A Magpie duck has large areas of black on its back, sides and rear. The rest is white. See photo of drake to the right.

From the best source for Ancona info, imo:
http://www.nantahala-farm.com/ancona-duck-colors-genetics-s.shtml

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

From the best source for Ancona info, imo:
http://www.nantahala-farm.com/ancona-duck-colors-genetics-s.shtml

I agree, that's a great site with a lot of information! It's a little confusing though, because since Anconas are heterozygous for extended black, they will have to produce some ducklings with double extended black and also some ducklings with none. Those with 2 black alleles are still Anconas, not Magpies. Maybe they are talking more about a magpie pattern, not the Magpie breed.