Welsh Harlequin
Encyclopedia
The Welsh Harlequin is a breed
of domestic duck originating in Wales
. In 1949, in Criccieth, Group Captain Leslie Bonnet
discovered a color mutation
among his flock Khaki Campbell
s, and began breeding selectively
for it. By 1968, hatching eggs were exported to the United States, and live birds in 1981.
Today, the Welsh Harlequin is a light-weight duck breed known for its vivid plumage and egg laying ability. Welsh Harlequins are 5 to 6 pounds (2 to 3 kilos) females have a greenish black bill, and their plumage is a creamy white color with brown stippling, with brown wings edged with white. Drakes are similar to a faded Mallard
with a yellow bill. Welsh Harlequins are good layers (like their forebears), produce a lean carcass, and are good foragers. They may be more vulnerable to predators such as birds of prey because of their light coloration.
The Welsh Harlequin was admitted to the American Poultry Association
's Standard of Perfection in 2001. The breed is considered to be critically endangered in North America by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
, with only 188 breeding birds found in a 2000 census.
The Welsh Harlequin is one of the national animals of Wales
.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of domestic duck originating in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. In 1949, in Criccieth, Group Captain Leslie Bonnet
Leslie Bonnet
Group Captain Leslie Bonnet, MA, LLB, Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Rosette was an RAF officer, short-story writer and duck-breeder, creating the Welsh Harlequin Duck, the only true Welsh duck breed....
discovered a color mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
among his flock Khaki Campbell
Khaki Campbell
A Khaki Campbell is a breed of domesticated duck that originated in England and is kept for its high level of egg production. The breed was developed by Adele Campbell of England at the end of the 19th century. The "Khaki" portion of the name refers to the duck's typical color.-Description:Adult...
s, and began breeding selectively
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
for it. By 1968, hatching eggs were exported to the United States, and live birds in 1981.
Today, the Welsh Harlequin is a light-weight duck breed known for its vivid plumage and egg laying ability. Welsh Harlequins are 5 to 6 pounds (2 to 3 kilos) females have a greenish black bill, and their plumage is a creamy white color with brown stippling, with brown wings edged with white. Drakes are similar to a faded Mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
with a yellow bill. Welsh Harlequins are good layers (like their forebears), produce a lean carcass, and are good foragers. They may be more vulnerable to predators such as birds of prey because of their light coloration.
The Welsh Harlequin was admitted to the American Poultry Association
American Poultry Association
The American Poultry Association is the oldest poultry organization in the North America. Founded in 1873, and incorporated in Indiana in 1932 The first American poultry show was held in 1849, and the APA was later formed in response to the burgeoning need for an overseeing body to set standards...
's Standard of Perfection in 2001. The breed is considered to be critically endangered in North America by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock...
, with only 188 breeding birds found in a 2000 census.
The Welsh Harlequin is one of the national animals of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.