Muscovy Duck - Cairina moschata

Description

The Muscovy is a heavy-bodied bird with relatively short legs (the drake weighs 10 to 14 lbs and the duck 5 to 7 lbs). It has an erectile fore-crown crest, wart like 'caruncles', especially in the case of males, and webbed feet equally suited to perching as swimming.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Ponds, rivers and lakes, nearly always as an escape from domestic stock which has gone feral.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

The Muscovy duck is the only breed of domestic duck that is not descended from the wild Mallard but belongs to a group known as the greater wood duck.

UK Status

Although it originates from central and southern America it is quite widespread in Britain as an escapee from domestic stock.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Muscovy Duck
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
Records on NatureSpot:
4
First record:
23/05/2016 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
10/01/2021 (Oxbrough, Donna)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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