Scientific names for domestic duck breeds

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11 Years
Mar 12, 2008
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Where could I go to find the scientific names, the binary nomenclature for domestic duck breeds? The usually Latin names for the genus & species. I've read that wild mallards are Anas platyrhynchos and that most domestic ducks are members of Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, do you know if that is true? I think that some breeds are hybrids of mallards, or have mallard in their ancestory. But are they all technically the same species? What about domestic species like call ducks and Indian runners, are they the same too? And what about Cayugas, aren't they from a wild species of duck found in New York?

I found out that Muscovies are Cairina moschata. Please let me know if you already know the names of other duck breeds, or where I could go to find them.
 
I was under the impression that all domestic ducks came under Anas platyrhynchos domesticus. Being that they are a species - or rather sub species of the mallard. Individual breeds are not individual species- so dont each have their own scientific name.
 
I concur. I guess you could add the common name after to be specific, as they are all the same species, just different breeds. (species meaning able to mate with each other and produce offspring that will produce other offspring..which is why muscovies are different)
 
Ok i changed my mind
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"A Cayuga Duck is a breed of domesticated duck used for egg and meat production as well as an ornamental bird. The Cayuga name is taken from Cayuga Lake , one of the lakes in the Finger Lakes chain, in New York State where the breed was popularized. The traditional story for the development of this breed is that a miller in Dutchess County captured two wild black ducks and used pinioning to keep them at his pond. The offspring of this pair was prized for flavorful meat and breeding efficiency.[1]
The Cayuga breed is in the Medium class and has been a recognized breed of the American Poultry Association since 1874. the standard weight for adult males is 8 pounds and females 7 pounds. The Cayuga are characterized by a black bill and black plumage which is an iridescent beetle green in the correct light. In breeding an emphasis is put on correct coloration, carriage and a large breast. The Cayuga duck has dark brown eyes, black shanks and toes, except in old drakes where some orange shading may appear. Ducklings have black plumage. For exhibition presence of white color in the outer plumage is a disqualification. It is also well liked by many as a great yard pet as they tend to stay close to home.
For those who wish to keep ducks, but live close to others that would make keeping the Pekin breed impractical because of the loud quack, The Cayuga duck may be an alternative as its quack is not as loud or frequent as the Pekin. The temperament of the Cayuga is docile.
Adult Cayuga Ducks enjoy eating snails, slugs, and most other insects.
The Cayuga duck will more often sit on and hatch her eggs than other domestic breeds of duck. Incubation for the eggs is 28 days. When using an incubator the temperature should be 99.5 °F at 86% humidity for days 1-25, and 98.5 °F at 94% humidity for days 26-28.
This breed of duck is listed as threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. [2]"
 
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From what I've read, Muscovies are the only domesticated ducks that aren't descended from Mallards (unless you count the captive-bred ornamental ducks, like Carolina wood ducks and mandarins, which are separate species for each). Thus all breeds of domesticated ducks (except for Muscovies) would have the same Latin name. Latin names are not used to delineate domesticated varieties of species. For example, there are no Latin names for breeds of dog. All are varieties of domesticated Canis lupus, sometimes given the subspecific name Canis lupus familiaris.

Of course, I'm assuming by "Latin name" you mean the binomial classification system used for identifying organisms by species. If you look through a Latin-English dictionary, you might find a Latin word that corresponds to a particular breed, but that's like finding the Latin translation for the word "mastiff."

:)

~Chris
 

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