Muscovy Duck 364625 221659605 2008-06-25T14:29:57Z Red Thunder 4967896 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/65.2.36.187|65.2.36.187]] to last version by Pinrut (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{Taxobox | name = Muscovy Duck | status = LC | image = Duck_wings_outstretched.jpg | image_caption = A Muscovy Duck stretching its wings in a [[Spring (hydrosphere)|freshwater spring]] | image_width = 250px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[Anseriformes]] | familia = [[Anatidae]] | genus = ''[[Cairina]]'' | species = '''''C. moschata''''' | binomial = ''Cairina moschata'' | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]]) }} The '''Muscovy Duck''', ''Cairina moschata'', is a large [[duck]] which is native to [[Mexico]], [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. A small wild population reaches into the US in the lower [[Rio Grande River]] basin in [[Texas]]. There also are [[feral]] breeding populations in North America in and around public parks in nearly every state of the USA and in the Canadian provinces; feral populations also exist in Europe. Although the Muscovy Duck is a tropical bird, it adapts to icy and snowy conditions down to –12°C (10°F) and below without ill effects.<ref>''Holderread, David. 2001, 'Guide to Raising Ducks', pg 17''</ref> == Taxonomy and naming == [[Image:Duck 2007-1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Muscovy Duck's distinctive facial characteristics are unlike any other species]] Muscovies had been domesticated by various [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] cultures in the [[New World]] when [[Christopher Columbus |Columbus]] arrived. A few Muscovy ducks were first brought to [[Europe]] by the European explorers at least by the [[1500s]]. The [[Muscovy Company]], also called the [[Muscovy Company |Muscovite Company]], began shipping the ducks to Europe sometime after 1550. It is believed that the ducks came to be interchangeably called ''Muscovite ducks'', or ''Muscovy ducks'' in keeping with the common practice of attaching the importer's name to the products they sold. Over the years, ''Muscovy'' became more colloquial than ''Muscovite''.<ref>''Holderread, David. 2001, 'Guide to Raising Ducks', pp 73-74''</ref> In certain sections of England the name "Barbary" duck is most common. In certain circles the name Barbary duck refers to the dressed carcass while Muscovy duck refers to the live animal. In Southeastern areas of the United States the Muscovy duck is also known as a "Turducken" due the fowl's unique chicken and duck-like features. Also when found in Florida they are known as "Durkey" === DNA sequencing === It was formerly placed into the [[paraphyletic]] "[[perching duck]]" assemblage, but subsequently moved to the [[Anatinae]] [[subfamily]] of [[dabbling duck]]s. Analysis of the [[mtDNA]] [[DNA sequence|sequence]]s of the [[cytochrome b|cytochrome ''b'']] and [[NADH dehydrogenase]] [[subunit]] 2 [[gene]]s (Johnson & Sorenson, 1999), however, indicates that it might be closer to the genus ''[[Aix (genus)|Aix]]'' and better placed in the [[shelduck]] subfamily [[Tadorninae]]; in addition, the other species of ''Cairina'', the rare [[White-winged Wood Duck]], seems to belong into a distinct genus. ==Description== The wild Muscovy duck can display a wide variety of feather patterns and colors. Most have dark brown or black feathers mixed with white in a mottled pattern on the head or wings. Other colors such as lavender or all white are possible. All Muscovy's have long [[talon]]s on their feet and a wide flat tail. The male is 86 cm long and weighs from 2.1 to 3.2 kg, (10 to 15 Lbs.,) much larger than the 64 cm long, 970 g to 1.3 kg (6 to 8 Lb.) female. His most distinctive features are a bare red face with a pronounced [[caruncle]] at the base of the bill and a low erectile crest of feathers. The drake has a low breathy call, and the hen a quiet trilling coo. Muscovy or Barbary ducklings are mostly yellow with buff-brown markings on the tail and wings. Some domesticated ducklings have a dark head and blue eyes, others a light brown crown and dark markings on their nape. They are agile and speedy [[precocial]] hunters. == Behaviour == [[Image:Male Muscovy Duck .jpg|A male Muscovy Duck cleaning his feathers |thumb|200px]] <!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Mduckface.jpg|Close up of a Muscovy Duck found in Southern Florida|thumb|200px]] --> This [[bird migration|non-migratory]] species normally inhabits forested swamps, lakes and streams, and often roosts in trees at night. ===Diet=== The Muscovy Duck's diet consists of plant material obtained by grazing or dabbling in shallow water, with some small [[vertebrate]]s and [[insect]]s. For the first few weeks of their lives, Muscovy duckling feed on grains, corn, grass, insects, and most anything that moves. Their mother instructs them at an early age how to feed. ===Reproduction=== This species, like the [[Mallard]], does not form stable pairs, and will mate with related birds. When Muscovies mate with other species of ducks the offspring are called mules and are unable to reproduce. Muscovy x Domestic duck breeds are common and are used as meat birds: they grow fast like [[Mallard]] derived breeds and get to be a large size like Muscovies. Muscovies will mate in the water or on land. The hen lays a clutch of 8-16 white eggs, usually in a tree hole or hollow, which are [[incubate]]d for 35 days. The sitting hen will leave the nest once a day from 20 minutes to one and one half hours, and will then defecate, drink water, eat and sometimes bathe. Once the eggs begin to hatch it may take 24 hours for all the chicks to break through their shells. When feral chicks are born they usually stay with their mother for about 10-12 weeks. Their bodies cannot produce all the heat they need, especially in temperate regions, so they will stay close to the mother especially at night. Often, the male Muscovy or Barbary duck will stay in close contact with the brood for several weeks. The male will walk with the young during their normal travels in search for food, providing protection. Anecdotal evidence from East Anglia, UK suggests that, in response to different environmental conditions, other adults assist in protecting chicks and providing warmth at night. It has been suggested that this is in response to local efforts to cull the eggs, which has led to an atypical distribution of males and females, young and mature birds. The Muscovy Duck has benefited from nest boxes in [[Mexico]], but is somewhat uncommon in much of the east of its range due to excessive hunting. The Muscovy Duck is a somewhat aggressive breed. The males often fight over food, territory or mates. The females fight with each other less often. Some adult Muscovies will peck at the chicks if they are eating at the same food source. ==Domestication==<!-- This section is linked from [[Anatidae]] --> The Muscovy Duck has been domesticated for centuries, and is commercially known as Barbary duck. This breed is popular because it has stronger-tasting meat than with most other [[domestic duck]]s (which are domesticated descendants of the [[Mallard]]), like roast [[beef]], and is less noisy. The meat is lean, unlike the fatty meat of [[Mallard|Mallard derivative]] ducks, the leanness and tenderness being often compared to that of [[veal]]. The carcass of a Muscovy Duck is also much heavier than that of most other domestic ducks, which make it ideal for the dinner table. [[Image:Carina moschata-2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Adult male Muscovy duck in garden]] Domesticated Muscovy Ducks, like those pictured, often have plumage features differing from that of wild birds. White color is preferred for meat production. Muscovy hens range in weight from 2 to 5 kg (5 to 10 pounds); drakes are commonly 5 to 8 kg (10 to 17 pounds). One Australian strain male weighed about 10 kg (20 pounds). Domesticated Muscovy Ducks can breed up to three times each year. Some have escaped into the wild and now breed outside their native domain, including in western [[Europe]] and the [[United States]]. [[Image:Muscovyduckling.jpg|Muscovy duckling|thumb|right|200px]] The Muscovy Duck can be crossed with [[mallard]]s in captivity to produce [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] which are known as Mulard ducks ("[[mule]] ducks") because they are [[sterile]] hybrids. Muscovy drakes are commercially crossed with [[Mallard|Mallard derivative]] ducks either by natural or artificial insemination. The 40-60% of eggs that are fertile result in birds raised only for their meat. Conversely, crossing Mallard drakes with Muscovy females is possible, yet their offspring are desirable for neither meat nor egg production.<ref>''Holderread, David. 2001, 'Guide to Raising Ducks', pg 97''</ref> Mules are often used in the production of [[foie gras]]. For more information on raising the muscovy duck yourself, visit the[http://www.natureshatchery.homestead.com Nature's Hatchery website.] Muscovy Ducks are reportedly cross-bred in [[Israel]] with Mallards to produce kosher duck products. The [[kosher]] status of the Muscovy duck has been a matter of rabbinic discussion for over 150 years. (A reprint of the opinions surrounding the status of the duck can be found on the [http://www.kashrut.com/articles/ThreeBirds/ Kashrut.com website]. ==Problems with feral populations== [[Image:Bill the duckling.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A Muscovy juvenile]] Some [[feral]] populations, such as that in [[Florida]] are said to present problems. Muscovy Ducks can breed near urban and suburban lakes and on farms, nesting in tree cavities or on the ground, under shrubs in yards, on [[condominium]] balconies, or under roof overhangs. In the US, Muscovy Ducks, like other domestic animals, are considered private property. An owner may do with the birds as he or she pleases, so long as laws regarding animal cruelty are not violated. Similarly, if the Muscovies have no owner, no US state or federal law prohibits their capture. This can be a last resort to resolve a nuisance problem. [http://myfwc.com/duck/Nuisance%20Waterfowl/muscovy_ducks.htm] Legal methods to restrict breeding include not feeding these ducks, deterring them with noise or by chasing, and finding nests and vigorously shaking the eggs to render them non-viable. Returning the eggs to the nest will avoid re-laying as the female would if the clutch were removed. ==References and notes==<!-- Boletín SAO Vol. XVI No. 01: 7 --> {{commons|Cairina moschata|Muscovy Duck}} {{wikispecies|Cairina moschata|Muscovy Duck}} {{reflist}} ==Links== *[http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Musc/BRKScobies.html Information] *[http://www.natureshatchery.homestead.com Pictures] *[http://www.muscovyduckcentral.com/ Forums] * {{IUCN2006|assessors='''BirdLife International'''|year=2004|id=47168|title=Cairina moschata|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern * '''Donkin''', R. A. (1989): ''Muscovy duck, ''Cairina moschata domestica'': Origins, Dispersal, and Associated Aspects of the Geography of Domestication''. A.A. Balkema Publishers, B.R. Rotterdam. * '''Hilty''', Steven L. (2003): ''Birds of Venezuela''. [[Helm Identification Guides|Christopher Helm]], London. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5 * '''Holderread''', David (2001): ''Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks'', pp. 73-74, 97. Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA. ISBN 1-58017-258-X * '''Johnson''', Kevin P. & '''Sorenson''', Michael D. (1999): Phylogeny and biogeography of dabbling ducks (genus Anas): a comparison of molecular and morphological evidence. ''[[Auk (journal)|Auk]]'' '''116'''(3): 792–805. [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v116n03/p0792-p0805.pdf PDF fulltext] * '''Stiles''', F. Gary & '''Skutch''', Alexander Frank (1989): ''A guide to the birds of Costa Rica''. Comistock, Ithaca. ISBN 0-8014-9600-4 * '''Zivotofsky''', Rabbi Ari Z. Ph.D. & '''Amar''', Zohar Ph.D. (2003): ''The Halachic Tale of Three American Birds: Turkey, Prairie Chicken, and Muscovy Duck''. The Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. Rabbi Jacob Joseph School Press, Staten Island, NY. [[Category:Birds of South America]] [[Category:Cairina]] [[Category:Ducks]] [[Category:tadorninae]] [[ca:Ànec mut]] [[de:Moschusente]] [[es:Cairina moschata]] [[eo:Moska anaso]] [[fr:Canard de Barbarie]] [[ko:머스코비오리]] [[id:Mentok (peliharaan)]] [[it:Cairina moschata]] [[hu:Pézsmaréce]] [[nl:Muskuseend]] [[ja:バリケン]] [[no:Moskusand]] [[pl:Piżmówka amerykańska]] [[pt:Pato-selvagem]] [[ru:Мускусная утка]] [[fi:Myskisorsa]] [[sv:Myskand]] [[vi:Ngan bướu mũi]] [[uk:Мускусна качка]]