birdsoup

According to Laura Erickson, the world’s most famous duck – Donald Duck – is a Pekin duck – a white domesticated offshoot of the common Mallard.  In his younger days Donald had a longer bill, but with time and maturity his bill has shrunk.  Although he is less portly than many domesticated ducks, he still can’t fly.     

However he has abilities that other ducks can’t match.  He has been known to build a boat and go sailing, grow a beard, wear a sailor coat with a red bow tie, carry a wallet and he changes color, from a livid blue when he is angry to bright red when he is embarrassed in front of Daisy.

A major annoyance in Donald’s life is due to a natural characteristic of Pekin ducks – the females are somewhat poor mothers.  This explains why Donald so often ends up taking care of his three nephews, Huey, Duey and Luey.