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Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing Muscovy ducks. These ducks are native from Mexico to South America though their range expanded to southern parts of the US in the 1980s. Feral populations of Muscovy ducks can be found in other parts of North America and Europe. These feral populations are larger than wild populations.

Wild Muscovy ducks are typically black with iridescent feathers and look more agile than their feral counterparts. Feral populations of Muscovy ducks may come in a variety of colors including all white! They range in weight from four and a half to nine pounds (2-4kg) and have a four and a half foot wingspan (1.4m) making them the largest living ducks in North America!

I didn’t know what the heck a Muscovy duck was when I first saw them. Muscovy ducks are also known as mute ducks because they’re generally quiet, though people who have encountered them in parks may have experienced their hiss. I know I have! Wild Muscovy ducks live in forests near sources of water including lakes, swamps, marshes, and slow moving streams. They prefer freshwater but they can be seen in brackish water environments, as well.

Feral populations are common in urban parks where they have access to freshwater. These ducks don’t migrate, but they are considered a “tropical” species. Even so, they don’t have nerves in their feet so they’re able to swim in freezing water without pain.

Muscovy ducks forage in the early morning and evening. They eat plants like grasses, seeds, and tubers as well as insects, crustaceans, small fish and reptiles. Like the mallards we’ve discussed previously, Muscovy ducks dabble. This means they forge on the bottom of a water system while their bum sticks out into the air. Their feathers are waterproofed by an oil produced from a gland on their tail.

Males may be double the size of females and often have more red facial warts. These may be part of mate attraction along with head crests. Like blue jays, male Muscovy ducks can raise their crest at will and do so to entice females. Muscovy ducks do not remain with the same partner over multiple years and an individual will mate with many partners. This is more common in males who defend their partners from other males but females may still find other mates, as well. The female Muscovy duck raises the young.

Like wood ducks, Muscovy ducks build their nests in tree cavities 10 to 65 feet (3-20m) above the ground. Females may reuse nests over consecutive years. They’ll lay anywhere from 8 to 15 eggs at a time. The eggs are incubated for just over a month and the chicks stay with the mother at least two months until they can fly but they may stick around for even longer. They may also form familial flocks with their siblings. These can number over twenty members outside of the breeding season.

Muscovy ducks have strong, clawed feet for roosting in trees. Flocks roost together in treetops at night and protect each other against predators. They can alert each other of potential threats like feral dogs and foxes. Muscovy ducks usually breed within their first year of life and may live to be about eight years old.

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