An area that has been surprisingly neglected is the genetics of ducks, the ultimate reservoir species of all influenza A subtypes. The wild duck reservoir contributes some or all of the genes of future pandemic strains in humans and future panzootic strains in domestic poultry. Immune mechanisms in ducks are currently understudied, and the molecular basis of resistance of some duck species to lethal infection is unresolved. Sequencing of the genome of the mallard duck is warranted, as it could provide insight into the factors that contribute to markedly reduced influenza virus pathogenicity.