| Muscovy Duck | |
|---|---|
 male (left) and female (right) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Cairina |
| Species: | Cairina moschata |
The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck that is the only known member of the genus Cairina. It is very common in captivity, and its domestic form is known as the Barbary Duck.
Description[]
This species is visibly sexually dimorphic, with males measuring 86 cm in length and weighing 5-6 kg and females measuring an average 64 cm in length and weighing around 3 kg. The uropygial gland is less developed than in other ducks and their plumage is consequently less oily and more prone to absorbing humidity, especially the flight feathers and tail feathers. The down is also less thick and dense. Especially in the male, abundant caruncles varying in color from black to red form a sort of mask. The beak has a variable color, from black to pink or even red. The webbed feet, yellow-orange or black, have rather sharp hooked claws.
Voice[]
Generally quieter than other ducks, the Muscovy Duck produces a wide range of low calls alternating with exhalation-like wheezing. The male emits guttural exhalations; the female occasionally produces sounds similar to very short whistles intended to call ducklings or to warn of her own irritation. However, when suddenly startled the female produces a sound very similar to the Mallard's alarm call (a kind of loud "quack-quack").
Behavior[]
The Muscovy Duck is an excellent flyer and yet prefers to move slowly over land or water. Due to his weight, the male domestic Muscovy Duck often flies lower and with more difficulty than the females.
Feeding[]
It feeds on various types of plants, including tree leaves, small insects, molluscs and worms that it actively hunts in ponds, swamps or among the available vegetation. In captivity it also eats cereals, legumes and grains.
Breeding[]
In the wild, Muscovy Ducks tend to be monogamous. However, in domestic breeding it is common for a single male to have harems of 4-5 females. The female lays a clutch of 8 to 16 eggs, in a nest composed of grass and feathers, after which incubation begins, which lasts for 5 weeks (35 days). The ducklings are covered with a very soft down of varying color from canary yellow to black or even piebald, and are able to swim from the first days of life. Mothers often tend to be aggressive in defense of the brood and often protect the young even after the latter have sported their adult plumage. Males play no role in incubation and chick rearing.
Distribution and habitat[]
This duck is native to the South American continent, from Paraguay to Guianas. Feral populations of wild domestic ducks are currently reported sporadically in Florida and elsewhere. They reached Europe in the 16th century following the discovery of the American continent. Like all ducks, Muscovy Ducks are strongly attracted to water and adapted to a humid habitat and for metabolic reasons, like all ducks, are dependent on a high availability of water to drink; nevertheless they adapt quite well to the absence of puddles and ponds.
Gallery[]
