Muscovy Duck Bird Facts (Cairina moschata)

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.

The Muscovy Duck can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Muscovy Duck can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Muscovy Duck can be found in Urban habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Muscovy Duck is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

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

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

United States of America Uruguay

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Whilst capable of flight and tree perching, the Muscovy Duck is notably heavy-bodied and prefers waddling to aerial manoeuvres. Their ability to navigate both aquatic and terrestrial environments shows decent agility, though they're not particularly nimble compared to other waterfowl.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

These are remarkably strong birds, particularly for waterfowl. Their large size (up to 4kg) and ability to perch in trees despite their heavy build demonstrates significant muscular strength. Males especially possess robust physical capabilities needed for territorial defence.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Muscovy Ducks exhibit excellent adaptability, thriving in various habitats from forest wetlands to urban parks. Their omnivorous diet, ability to forage both on land and in water, and successful colonisation of new territories showcase their remarkable adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Though not overtly aggressive, Muscovy Ducks can display territorial behaviour, particularly during breeding season. Males will defend their territory and mates, but they're generally quiet and peaceful compared to many waterfowl species.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Their robust build and ability to survive in diverse conditions indicates strong endurance. They can undertake sustained foraging sessions and, whilst not frequent flyers, possess the stamina needed for their varied activities including swimming, walking, and occasional flight.

Muscovy Ducks have an omnivorous diet, feeding on plant material, small fish, reptiles, crustaceans, and insects.

They use their broad, flat bills to strain food from water and mud and can often be seen grazing on land, consuming grass and other vegetation.

Muscovy Ducks are known for their quiet nature, rarely quacking like other ducks. They spend considerable time foraging on land, often seen perching in trees.

These ducks are generally less aquatic than other duck species, preferring to waddle on land or roost in branches.

Unlike most ducks, Muscovy Ducks are relatively quiet. Males produce a low, breathy hiss or a soft puffing sound, while females make a quiet trilling call.

During courtship or when alarmed, they may emit a soft whistling noise.

Muscovy Ducks typically breed during the rainy season, with timing varying by location. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including head bobbing and tail wagging.

Females nest in tree cavities, on the ground in dense vegetation, or on human structures. They lay 8-16 cream-colored eggs and incubate them for about 35 days.

After hatching, ducklings remain with their mother for 10-12 weeks. They can fly at around 10 weeks of age but often stay with the family group for several months.

The Muscovy Duck typically lives for 8 to 10 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While the Muscovy Duck is not globally threatened, habitat loss and hunting pose localized risks.

In some areas, feral populations of domesticated Muscovy Ducks interbreed with wild birds, potentially affecting the genetic integrity of wild populations.

Look for Muscovy Ducks near freshwater ponds in urban parks
Listen for their soft hissing or whistling sounds
Observe their unique tree-perching behavior
In the US, focus on areas in Florida and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas

Main predators include large birds of prey, raccoons, foxes, and in some areas, caimans and jaguars.

Muscovy Ducks can fly despite their heavy build, though they prefer to walk or swim.
They are the only domesticated duck species not derived from Mallards.
Their name 'Muscovy' is thought to be a corruption of 'Muisca', an indigenous South American tribe.

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