The Pekin duck is a domestic duck breed developed in China and commonly recognized by white feathers and an orange bill.
Pekin ducks descend from mallard-derived domestic ducks and were developed for meat production. Chinese ducks were imported into the United States in the 19th century, where American breeders selected and standardized the type now widely known as the American Pekin.
The breed has a broad body, rapid growth, and calm temperament. It became especially important in commercial duck farming and is also popular in small backyard flocks. White plumage makes the carcass easier to process because dark feather roots are less visible.
Pekin can be confused with Aylesbury ducks, another white meat breed associated with Britain. The names are not interchangeable. “Pekin” may also be written “Peking” in historical material, while the breed article commonly uses American Pekin.