The gene that causes the pied effect on ducks is called the “runner” gene. I’m not totally sure why they chose to call it that, but I’m guessing it’s because the first Indian Runner ducks people were aware of had this pattern??
The runner gene inhibits color in certain areas of the duck, causing the neck and part of the head, parts of the wing, and a band across the body to be white.
Any other genetics the duck may have will express in all the areas not effected by the color canceling effects of the runner gene.
Duck Color Genetics-Pied
Color play!
Color play!
Let’s get to the fun part and mix and match some of the other genetics with the Dusky Pattern and see what happens!
What will my duckling look like? The duckling down is a very good indicator of color genotype and phenotype!
Dusky Pattern/Dark Phase with Brown and Pied
Ducklings
Common names: Pencilled, Pied Khaki
Genotype: md/md, Li+/Li+, d(d), R/R (homozygous, pure)
Note: md/md, Li+/li and md/md, Li+/lih look just like the pure version!
Ducklings
ducklings have NO eyestripesdown is dark brown patched with yellowfeet are often spotted or patched
Adults
females and juvenile males have NO eyestripes
both sexes have dark wing speculums
all dark areas are diluted by a soft brown
drakes have slightly muted iridescent bronze heads
normal Khaki color is interrupted by large white areas
Adults
Dusky Pattern/Dark Phase with Brown, 1 Blue and Pied
Ducklings
Common names: Fawn & White (UK)
Genotype: md/md, Li+/Li+, d(d), Bl/bl+, R/R (heterozygous, blue will NOT breed true)
Note: md/md, Li+/li and md/md, Li+/lih look just like the pure version!
Ducklings
ducklings have NO eyestripesdown is lavender grey patched with yellowfeet are often spotted or patched
Adults
females and juvenile males have NO eyestripes
both sexes have dark wing speculums
all dark areas are diluted to a soft blueish brown
drakes have lavender greyish heads
normal color is interrupted by large white areas
Adults
Dusky Pattern/Dark Phase with Brown, 2 Blue and Pied
Ducklings
Common names: Fawn & White (USA)
Genotype: md/md, Li+/Li+, d(d), Bl/Bl, R/R (homozygous; breeds true)
Note: md/md, Li+/li and md/md, Li+/lih look just like the pure version!
Ducklings
ducklings have NO eyestripesdown is nearly yellow as the dark color patches are very faint due to the combination of 2 blue alleles and brown.feet are often spotted or patched but it will be VERY pale
Adults
females and juvenile males have NO eyestripes
both sexes have dark wing speculums
all dark areas are diluted to a soft tan
drakes have blueish tan heads
normal color is interrupted by large white areas
Adults
double blue drake is to the far left
other birds are all single blue