Muscovy duck

The muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is familiar as a farmyard duck all over the world, but it is found in the wild in Central and South America as far south as Uruguay.

It inhabits streams, ponds and marshes in wooded and forest areas.

Appearance

Male muscovy ducks are up to 33 inches in length with females noticeably smaller at 26 inches. Males are brownish black on the head, crest, neck and underparts, and black with a green sheen on the upperparts. There is white on the upper wings. There is a bare patch on the face (black skin). Females are similar in plumage but have a smaller face patch than the males.

The legs and bill are black, the bill having a pale pink band near the tip.  The eyes are yellowy-brown.

Behaviour

The flight is slow and heavy. Muscovy ducks are usually silent, although the males will hiss and the females give a weak quack.

Muscovy ducks spend much of their time perched in trees, where they also roost. They feed mostly at dawn and dusk on water plants and small creatures. They are often found in small flocks, particularly in the dry season.

Breeding

Male muscovy ducks will serve a number of females and are aggressive towards other males when the mating season approaches.

Muscovy ducks nest in tree forks and hollows and will sometimes make use of old nests. Anything from 5 to 18 eggs will be laid that take around 35 days to incubate.

© John Welford