This week’s Animal of the Week is the Muscovy Duck is one of the most unusual ducks in the world. Large, powerful and instantly recognizable by the red, bumpy skin around its face, it looks quite different from the Mallard-type ducks most people are familiar with.
Wild Muscovy Ducks are native to the Americas, ranging from northern Mexico and southern Texas through Central America and much of South America. Domestic Muscovies have since been introduced throughout many other parts of the world.
They are excellent fliers, strong swimmers and surprisingly capable tree perchers. Instead of the familiar loud “quack,” males are particularly known for their quiet hissing and breathy sounds.
Quick Facts
Animal: Muscovy Duck
Scientific Name: Cairina moschata
Animal Type: Bird
Family: Anatidae
Diet: Omnivore
Body Support: Endoskeleton
Group Name: Flock; ducks gathered on water may also be called a raft
Newborn Weight: Roughly 1.5 to 2 ounces, although hatchling weight varies
Average Size: About 26 to 33 inches long with a wingspan of approximately 54 to 60 inches
Average Female Weight: About 2.2 to 4.4 pounds in wild birds, with domestic females sometimes weighing more
Average Male Weight: About 4.4 to 8.8 pounds in wild birds, with large domestic drakes sometimes exceeding 10 pounds
Average Lifespan: About 7 to 8 years, although some captive birds can live longer
Top Speed: No scientifically established maximum flight speed is currently available
Habitat: Forested wetlands, rivers, lakes, lagoons, marshes, mangrove swamps and wooded areas near water
Range: Native from northern Mexico and southern Texas through Central America into much of South America; domestic and feral populations occur worldwide
Conservation Status: Least Concern globally, although some truly wild populations have declined
Mating Season: Varies by region; breeding may occur from roughly August through May in some populations and can occur multiple times per year
Babies: Ducklings; generally about 8 to 15 eggs per clutch
Social Life: Social with dominance hierarchies; males may become territorial or aggressive toward other males
What Makes Them Special
Muscovy Ducks are not simply another breed of common domestic duck.
Most familiar domestic ducks descended primarily from the Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos. The Muscovy is a completely separate species, Cairina moschata, that was independently domesticated in the Americas.
One of their most recognizable features is the red, fleshy skin around their eyes and bill. The bumpy growths covering this skin are called caruncles.
Adult males usually have much larger and more prominent caruncles than females.
Muscovies also show an unusually large size difference between the sexes. A mature drake can be 30 to 50 percent heavier than a female.
Wild Muscovies are generally dark brownish-black or black with beautiful green, blue or purple iridescence. Their wings contain bold white patches that become particularly noticeable during flight.
Domestic Muscovies have been selectively bred into many additional colors, including white, chocolate, blue, brown and pied combinations.
Another unusual adaptation is their feet. Muscovy Ducks possess strong claws, making them excellent at gripping branches.
Unlike many familiar domestic ducks, wild Muscovies regularly perch and even sleep high in trees.
Habitat
Wild Muscovy Ducks are closely associated with forested wetlands.
Their habitats include:
- Freshwater lakes
- Slow-moving rivers
- Forested streams
- Lagoons
- Mangrove swamps
- Marshes
- Flooded forests
- Wooded ponds
- Tropical wetlands
They especially benefit from areas containing large mature trees because females frequently use natural tree cavities for nesting.
Nests can be located approximately 10 to 65 feet above the ground.
Although Muscovies sometimes live around brackish wetlands, they generally prefer freshwater habitats.
Domestic and feral Muscovies are far more adaptable and may be found around farms, suburban ponds, canals, parks and urban waterways.
Diet
Muscovy Ducks are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter.
Foods they may eat include:
- Grasses
- Sedges
- Leaves
- Aquatic vegetation
- Roots
- Tubers
- Seeds
- Water-lily seeds
- Mangrove seeds
- Corn
- Other grains
- Insects
- Insect larvae
- Termites
- Spiders
- Millipedes
- Worms
- Snails and other mollusks
- Crustaceans
- Small crabs
- Small fish
- Small reptiles
Muscovies forage in several different ways. They may graze on land, dabble at the surface of the water, tip forward while feeding in shallow water or pick larger food items directly from the ground.
One particularly interesting behavior has been observed in tropical regions: Muscovy Ducks sometimes break open termite mounds with their bills to reach the termites inside.
Behavior
Muscovy Ducks are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day.
Wild Muscovies are generally non-migratory and may remain within the same region throughout the year.
They are powerful swimmers but spend considerably more time on land and in trees than many people expect from a duck.
Wild birds may fly through forests during the morning and evening while traveling between feeding areas. During other parts of the day, they may perch in trees.
At night, groups may roost high above the ground.
Despite their heavy appearance, wild Muscovies are capable fliers. Females are especially agile because they are much smaller than males.
Large domestic drakes may become heavy enough that their flight ability is considerably reduced.
Muscovies also rely heavily on body language. They may:
- Raise their crests
- Wag their tails
- Bob or pump their heads
- Lift their wings
- Change their posture
- Hiss
- Make soft contact calls
These behaviors can communicate aggression, dominance, courtship or alarm.
Social Life
Muscovy Ducks are social animals, but their groups have established dominance hierarchies.
Dominant males may control access to females while less successful males sometimes form small bachelor groups.
Males can become aggressive toward one another and may fight using their wings, bills and body weight.
Outside of aggressive encounters, Muscovies may feed, rest and roost together.
Wild birds sometimes gather in trees during nighttime roosting.
Young Muscovies can also maintain strong relationships with their siblings. After the mother eventually separates from her young, siblings may continue staying together.
Domestic Muscovies often become accustomed to humans, particularly when raised around people, although individual temperament varies.
Mating
Muscovy Ducks have a largely polygynous mating system, meaning a successful male may mate with several females.
During courtship and dominance displays, males may:
- Raise their feathered crest
- Wag their tails
- Pump their heads
- Lift their wings
- Hiss
- Display their body size
Larger and more dominant males often have greater mating success.
Breeding seasons vary depending on location, rainfall, food availability and climate.
Some populations breed from approximately August through May, while birds living in favorable tropical environments may reproduce during much of the year.
Muscovies may produce two or three broods in a year under good conditions.
After mating, the female selects the nest location and performs the incubation.
Babies
Baby Muscovy Ducks are called ducklings.
Females usually lay approximately 8 to 15 eggs per clutch, although clutch size can vary.
Wild females often choose hollow sections of mature trees for their nests. These cavities may be located between approximately 10 and 65 feet above the ground.
They may also use artificial nest boxes.
Muscovy eggs require a relatively long incubation period compared with many familiar domestic ducks. Depending on the population, incubation generally lasts around 30 to 35 days.
The female performs essentially all of the incubation.
Ducklings are precocial, meaning they are relatively well developed when they hatch. They can move around shortly after hatching and soon begin following their mother.
The mother protects the ducklings while helping them learn:
- Where to find food
- What foods to eat
- How to swim
- Where to find shelter
- How to avoid danger
Tree-nesting ducklings eventually have to leave their elevated nest and reach the ground.
Their low body weight and down-covered bodies help cushion the fall. Young Muscovies also have sharp little claws and hooked bills, adaptations that help them maneuver around their cavity nests.
The female may protect her offspring for around 60 to 70 days, with young birds generally becoming independent at approximately 10 to 12 weeks old.
Conservation Status
The Muscovy Duck is currently considered Least Concern globally, but that does not mean all wild populations are thriving.
Truly wild Muscovies depend heavily on tropical forests, wetlands and mature trees containing large nesting cavities.
Some populations have been affected by:
- Wetland destruction
- Deforestation
- Removal of mature nesting trees
- Hunting
- Egg collection
- Habitat fragmentation
- Human disturbance
Wild populations have experienced particularly significant declines in portions of Mexico and Central America.
Loss of old trees is an especially important problem because large Muscovies require unusually spacious cavities in which to build their nests.
Nest boxes can provide alternative nesting locations where suitable natural cavities have disappeared.
Domestic and feral Muscovy Ducks present a different situation. In regions where they are introduced rather than native, large feral populations can create wildlife-management concerns.
How You Can Help
- Protect wetlands and forested waterways.
- Preserve mature trees that may contain nesting cavities.
- Avoid disturbing nesting females.
- Keep a respectful distance from ducklings and family groups.
- Do not remove eggs from wild nests.
- Never release unwanted domestic Muscovies into parks or natural wetlands.
- Avoid feeding ducks bread or highly processed human food.
- Support wetland and tropical forest conservation programs.
- Provide appropriate shelter, food, clean water and veterinary care for domestic Muscovies.
- Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator when a truly injured wild duck needs assistance.
Final Fun Fact
🐾 Fun Fact: Muscovy Ducks are genetically different enough from ordinary Mallard-derived domestic ducks that the two can produce offspring together, yet those offspring are normally sterile. These hybrids are known as mule ducks, making the Muscovy one of the most unusual members of the domestic duck world.
Sources
Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds: Muscovy Duck — habitat, diet, nesting, behavior, size and conservation. Muscovy Duck Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
University of Michigan — Animal Diversity Web: Cairina moschata — diet, breeding, social behavior, development and lifespan. Cairina moschata (Muscovy duck) | INFORMATION | Animal Diversity Web
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Domestic Ducks — Muscovy genetics, size differences, incubation and sterile hybrid offspring. Domestic Ducks | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine