Muscovy Duck

T

he Muscovy Duck is a bird originally from Central and South America, where it was domesticated by indigenous cultures.

It is a duck that is distinguished from most domestic water birds in several aspects. Its most striking features are the caruncles (red warts) on the head and around the eyes(the male more than the female) and the fact that they do not emit loud sounds. The male emits a sound that resembles a breath, while the female makes a sound similar to something like "fi-fi". They are better flyers than swimmers and, at night, they tend to stay in trees. Their beak is long and thin. These ducks are robust and resistant and, despite being tropical birds, they adapt easily to cold conditions. They feed on vegetables, herbs, cereals, small reptiles, crustaceans and insects. Water must always be available.

The female lays an average of 12 to 14 eggs. When the females are brooding, the male remains close by as if to protect it. They leave the nest once a day (for about 20 minutes) to defecate, drink water, eat and, sometimes, bathe. After 5 weeks (more or less 35 days) the eggs start to hatch, and they can take up to 24 hours. They are excellent and conscientious mothers, spending their time “counting” and bringing their ducklings together. These usually stay with the mother for about10 to 12 weeks.

Muscovy ducks have an average life expectancy of 8 years, however it is said that they can live up to 20 years if they have access to good food. Males (especially dominant ones) can be very aggressive towards other birds or other males of their species. To communicate with each other, they wag their tails, while raising and lowering their heads.