Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Known for its distinctive warty red face and hefty size, this farmyard favorite traces its wild origins to the tropical forests of Central and South America.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Muscovy Duck is a large, heavy-bodied waterfowl with a distinctive red, warty face and a low-carried head. Males are predominantly black with white wing patches, while females are smaller (around half the size) and browner.

Both sexes have a crest that can be raised or lowered, and their plumage often shows iridescent green and purple hues in sunlight. Juveniles resemble females but lack the facial caruncles.

Size

Length

66cm to 84cm

Wingspan

137cm to 152cm

Weight

2kg to 4kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Green Purple

Beak Colour

Pink Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Black

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Green

Beak Colour (Female)

Black Pink

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Muscovy Duck can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Muscovy Duck can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Muscovy Duck can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Muscovy Ducks naturally inhabit forested areas near lakes, rivers, and swamps in Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina. They prefer freshwater habitats with nearby trees for roosting and nesting.

In the United States, feral populations have been established in Florida, Texas, and other southern states. They are also found in urban parks and ponds across their range, adapting well to human-modified environments.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Muscovy Duck. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons