The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is also known as the Musk duck or Muskogee duck. Though it is often included as a domesticated duck, it is a different species from the common mallard derived ducks. The Muscovy duck has several unique features that distinguish it from other ducks.
Physical Appearance
The Muscovy duck is a large duck – it is actually the largest duck native to the Americas. Males typically weigh 10-15 pounds while females are 7-8 pounds. They have long claws on their feet which help them perch on trees and other elevated surfaces.
The plumage of Muscovy ducks is mostly black and white. The back and wings are iridescent black-green while the breast is dark bronzy-purple. The head is black with white patches around the eyes and cheeks. A few long feathers form a crest on the top of the head. The bill is black with a pink band near the tip and the legs and feet are blackish.
| Species | Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) |
| Average Weight – Male | 10-15 lbs |
| Average Weight – Female | 7-8 lbs |
| Plumage Colors | Black, white, iridescent black-green, dark bronzy-purple |
The Muscovy duck has very reduced webbing between its toes compared to other ducks – an adaptation for perching. The claws are also larger and sharper than those of other ducks.
Native Habitat and Range
Muscovy ducks are native to Mexico, Central and South America. Their natural range stretches from central Mexico down through Paraguay and Brazil in South America. They inhabit wetlands, flooded forests, and shoreline vegetation in these regions.
This is a tropical species – they do not migrate and cannot survive cold winters. Feral populations have become established in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America due to escapes and releases from captivity. However, they remain a neotropical species most comfortable in warm climates.
Diet
Muscovy ducks have a diverse, omnivorous diet. They feed on plants, seeds, roots, and aquatic vegetation as well as insects, millipedes, snails, fish, frogs, and small reptiles. Their long claws allow them to grasp prey on land easily. These ducks often perch in trees and will drop down to catch passing frogs and lizards below.
Compared to other ducks, the Muscovy feed more actively on land. Up to 20% of their diet can come from animal sources compared to just 3-5% for mallard-derived ducks. This gives them a greater protein intake.
| Plants | Seeds, roots, grasses, aquatic vegetation |
| Invertebrates | Insects, millipedes, snails |
| Vertebrates | Fish, frogs, small reptiles |
Unique Adaptations
Muscovy ducks have several adaptations that set them apart from mallard-derived ducks:
- Sharp claws for perching and grasping prey
- Reduced webbing between toes for perching
- Greater protein intake from animal sources
- All black plumage of juveniles as camouflage
- Featherless black face deters feather parasites
- Silent wings lack the mallard “quack”
The black plumage of the young ducklings serves as camouflage in their reed and shoreline habitats. As adults, the featherless black facial skin deters parasitic mites and lice from colonizing their heads.
Unlike mallard ducks, Muscovy ducks do not “quack” – they hiss, puff, and have a low murmuring call. Their wings produce very little sound in flight due to adapted feathers. This allows them to fly quietly when approached by predators.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Muscovy ducks reach sexual maturity by about 20 weeks of age. They can breed year-round in captivity but usual breed in spring or early summer in the wild. They do not form stable pairs – the males will mate with multiple females.
The female prepares a nest scraped out on the ground lined with vegetation and down feathers. She will lay between 8-16 white eggs over a period of 2-3 weeks. She incubates them for 35 days while the male remains nearby to guard the nest.
The ducklings hatch covered in black down. They follow the mother to water within 24 hours and fend for themselves. They can fly by 15 weeks and are independent after that. Muscovies may live up to 12 years in captivity.
| Maturity Reached | 20 weeks |
| Breeding Season | Spring or early summer |
| Clutch Size | 8-16 eggs |
| Incubation Period | 35 days |
| Time to Fledging | 15 weeks |
| Life Expectancy | Up to 12 years (captivity) |
Economic Importance
Muscovy ducks are raised commercially in many parts of the world for their meat, eggs, and feathers. They have been bred into large, fast growing meat strains as well as heavy egg-laying strains. The meat is lean and less greasy than that of Pekin or mallard-derived ducks. Both the eggs and meat are popular in cuisine.
Muscovies are also kept for controlling flies and insects on farms and homes due to their active feeding on invertebrates. Their feathers are used in pillows, blankets, and clothing. As they are relatively quiet and have less intensive feeding needs, they are popular as pets and on urban farms.
Threats and Conservation
The wild Muscovy duck populations are not under any major threats. Their numbers remain stable across their large range in Mexico, Central and South America. They adapt readily to living near human habitation which provides them with food and water sources.
Feral populations in non-native regions like North America and Europe compete with native waterfowl and may spread disease. But in their natural habitat, Muscovy ducks do not face elevated threats of extinction. They are classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Conclusion
In summary, the Muscovy duck is set apart from other ducks by its large size, perching behavior, sharp claws, predominantly vegetarian diet, quiet flight, and other adaptations. It is a unique tropical waterfowl that has been domesticated as a productive meat and egg strain as well as an efficient farm pest controller. The wild populations remain stable, though feral ducks can potentially impact native species outside their natural range. The Muscovy’s distinctive appearance and behaviors make it a particularly interesting duck species.
