[9][10][11] It is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, where the earliest descriptions and depictions of it date from the seventeenth century.

It is similar in appearance to some other breeds of duck, but is much smaller, with a round head and very short bill.

They are popular exhibition birds and win more duck championships in shows in North America than any other breed.

[5][16]: 410 [a] In the United States the grey and white varieties were included in the first Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1874; six other colours were added between 1977 and 2007.

[6] In the second edition of the Australian Poultry Standards, published in 2011, the Australian Call Duck is described as a separate breed from the Call Duck of Europe, with a different range of plumage colours and a rather larger body size.