At a glance
- Origin
- United States
- Scientific name
- Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
- Eggs per year
- ~150
- Egg colour
- Black
- Incubation
- 28 days
- Broodiness
- Moderate
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy
- Sizes
- Heavy
- Purpose
- Laying, Meat
- Purity
- Pure, Rare
About the Black Cayuga
The sole standardised colour of the breed, the Black Cayuga carries solid black plumage washed with a brilliant beetle-green lustre that flashes green, blue and purple in sunlight, an effect produced by light refracting off the feather structure rather than pigment. Ducks often develop white flecking with age and, notably, the birds with the brightest sheen tend to whiten earliest, so retaining a clean black bird is a breeding challenge. Recognised by the APA in 1874 (Watch status, Livestock Conservancy), it is a calm, hardy heritage duck whose dark down once made carcasses awkward to pluck for the table.
Available clutches
No clutches available right now.
No breeders are currently listing Black Cayuga eggs. Check back soon.