Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Pato Real

 

 

Audio (M. Oberle)
 
Photo: R. Santos

 

This duck has fleshy, reddish knobs on top of its bill. Plumage can vary from all white, to glossy black with white wing patches. Audio (M. Oberle). Length: 66-84 cm.; weight: 1,100-4,000 g. The Muscovy is native to Central America and northern South America but has been domesticated. Although it is not an established breeding species in the wild in Puerto Rico, many farmers and golf course managers allow this duck to wander freely, thus leading to confusion with wild duck species.

TAXONOMY: ANSERIFORMES; ANATIDAE; Anatinae

  
   
Photo: A. Sánchez Muñoz

 

 
Photo: R. Santos
  

 

 
Two Muscovy Ducks with a Mallard hybrid at right - Photo: R. Santos
  

 

Pair of Muscovy Ducks copulating - Photo: D. North

 

Nesting habitat (Texas) - Photo: M. Oberle

References

del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, eds. 1992. Handbook of Birds of the World, Vol. 1. Ostrich to ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Howell, S.N.G. and S. Webb. 1995. A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. Oxford Univ Press.

Madge, S. and H. Burn. 1988. Wildfowl: an identification guide to the ducks, geese, and swans of the world. C. Helm, London.

Muscovy Duck, Spanish text

Next related species in taxonomic order

Previous related species in taxonomic order

Back to Species Selection Page Menu

Return to first page of the CD-ROM