Muscovy Duck


	Muscovy Duck
	Cairina moschata

The Muscovy Duck, Cairina moschata, is a large duck which is native to Mexico, Central and South America. A small wild population reaches into the US in the lower Rio Grande River basin in Texas.

Interesting Information

The Muscovy Duck doesn't swim as often as other ducks due to their underdeveloped oil glands.
The domesticated Muscovy is the only domestic duck not bred from mallard stock.
They are also called the Common Duck, Forest Duck, and Greater Wood Duck.
A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including "a brace of ducks", "flush of ducks", "paddling of ducks", "raft of ducks", and a "team of ducks."

Description

Adult Description

Large, usually domesticated duck; wild birds are dark with white wing patch that is visible in flight; domesticated birds occur in any mix of white and black. Crested head; bare face, may be black or red or a combination, has large wart-like knob at the base of the bill.

Sex Differences

Sexes similar.

Habitat

Prefers forests near water where it roosts in trees at night and nests in tree cavities.

Behavior

Feeds on vegetation by dabbling in ponds, lakes and, rivers.

Food

Feeds on vegetation by dabbling in ponds, lakes and, rivers. Eats insects and seeds found in grain fields.

Taxonomy

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Anseriformes
Family:	Anatidae
Subfamily:	Anserinae
Genus:	Cairina
Species:	Cairina moschata