ExploreBird

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Muscovy ducks are friendly birds that come in many colors! They love to swim and can often be found waddling around farms.

Habitat: Farms and wetlands

Appearance

The Muscovy Duck is a large, sturdy duck recognized by its unique warty, red face, especially on males. Its plumage is typically dark, shimmering with iridescent green and purple, often featuring distinctive white patches on its wings visible during flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusCairina

Muscovy Duck

Interesting facts

Male Muscovy Ducks are much bigger and heavier than females, sometimes twice the size!

Muscovy Ducks are one of the few duck species that prefer to perch in trees!

Their babies, called ducklings, are able to swim and find food just hours after hatching!

Unlike most ducks, Muscovy Ducks do not 'quack' but rather hiss and make soft trilling sounds.

Special abilities

Muscovy Ducks have strong, clawed feet that help them perch easily in trees, unlike most other ducks.

Muscovy Ducks can fly with surprising quietness because of their wing structure, aiding stealth.

Muscovy Ducks have distinctive red, fleshy caruncles on their face that help protect against injury.

Muscovy Ducks can forage effectively on land and in water, allowing them to find diverse food sources.

Measurements & details

Length: 66-84 cm
Wingspan: 137-152 cm
Weight: 3-8 kg
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Top Speed: 80 km/h
Clutch Size: 8-16
Incubation: 35 days

Diet & Feeding

These adaptable ducks eat a wide variety of plants, insects, and small aquatic creatures from land and water.

Primary Foods

Insects
Small fish
Crustaceans
Seeds
Aquatic plants
Grains

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis

Ducks hunt small fish in shallow waters.

eats

Red Swamp Crayfish

Procambarus clarkii

They forage for crustaceans like crayfish.

eaten by

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Adult ducks are prey for alligators.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Ducklings are targeted by birds of prey.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Webbed Feet

These animals have special feet with skin between their toes, which helps them swim super fast!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.