A total of 44 bacterial strains obtained from 49 clinically healthy ducklings of different ages originating from four different farms were identified as members of the species Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) using conventional biochemical test methods. Numerical analysis of the whole-cell fatty acid patterns of these isolates resulted in two different clusters, one of which showed a similar pattern to that of the type strain of RA. Strains having a different fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)-profile (cluster II) were designated R. anatipestifer-like (RA-like). Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes of RA-like field isolates revealed 99% identity to RA. The significance of these observations are discussed. The present findings document for the first time that RA seems to represent a normal part of the pharyngeal flora of healthy Pekin ducks.