Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschata
The Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata, is a large duck native to the Americas and also kept worldwide in domestic form. Unlike mallard-derived domestic ducks, Muscovies perch readily, have a quieter hissing voice, and carry fleshy red caruncles around the face, especially in mature drakes. Domestic birds come in several colors and can be heavy, broad-breasted meat ducks, while wild-type Muscovies are sleeker and more tree-oriented. Their separate ancestry is why crosses with common domestic ducks produce sterile mulard hybrids.
Muscovy management calls for secure night housing, dry resting areas, access to bathing water, and protection from predators, since the birds often prefer roosts and can fly if not managed carefully. Drakes can be much larger than hens, so breeding groups need enough space and a sensible sex ratio to reduce injury. Small farms value Muscovies for meat, insect foraging, broodiness, and relatively quiet behavior, but local rules may restrict feral or free-ranging birds in some areas. Keepers should track hatch dates, parentage, color, and temperament when maintaining domestic lines.
