The Indian Racing Duck has the most unique body shape of any duck species in the world. Compared to all other duck species, their legs are located further back on the body, and they stand upright and run like penguins rather than waddle along.
Native to the Asian continent, the Indian running duck is an evolutionary version of the wild wild duck. However, it is believed that its unique evolution was determined more by human intervention than by natural evolution.
European sailors first met in Indonesia in the 1800s, where farmers heard that more than 1,000 ducks were not uncommon. It stands out for its unusual body posture and running ability, which is unusual for European duck species. Today, Indian runners are found on all continents of the world, although it is still considered a bit strange outside of Asia.
Indian running ducks are known as "penguin ducks" for their unusual body postures. Like penguins, they stand upright, which makes them look much taller than all other duck breeds. Their unique posture compared to any other domestic duck breed is due to the pelvis being closer to the tail area. This basic structural difference also allows penguin ducks to run like other duck breeds rather than to hobble.
Indian racing ducks are greedy animals that eat almost anything of nutritional value, and in countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, they are sometimes released in rice paddies to remove pests and prepare for sowing.
Their meats are said to be delicious, but they are raised almost exclusively for eggs. They have a very high egg laying rate, laying an average of 300 to 350 eggs per year.