Pekin Ducks
As the name implies, Pekin ducks originated in Northern China (Beijing used to be called Peking). Records show that this type of duck has been domesticated in China for at least 2000 years so it is no surprise that it holds such a special place in Chinese cuisine!
Always white feathered, but with either pink or yellow beaks Pekin ducks are similar in appearance to Aylesbury ducks but are actually completely different breeds.
Thousands of years ago Pekin ducks could fly, but for the last few hundred years they have been content to stay down to earth. Likewise as day old birds, Pekin ducks can swim instinctively but as they grow older, as long as they have water to drink and preen themselves with, they are perfectly happy to live on dry land.