Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

The Muscovy Duck's Latin name means musk duck from Cairo and "Muscovy" means from Moscow but the Muscovy Duck is in fact native to the Central Americas (including Mexico, southern US and north South America); the names were given just to mean from somewhere exotic (like Guinea fowl).

Wild Muscovy Ducks are glossy black with white wing patches and a slight greenish metallic sheen.

All domestic breeds of duck are descended from either Mallards or Muscovies. The domestic Muscovies have been bred with much more green, white (including all white) and variegation. Muscovies are heavy birds with thicker, stronger legs than Mallard types. The large clawed feet are for roosting in trees at night.

The male Muscovy has much more red fleshy caruncled skin on his face than the female.

Female domestic Muscovies

Mothers with ducklings