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Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Summary 7

The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico and Central and South America. Small wild and feral breeding populations have established themselves in the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada. Feral Muscovy ducks are found in New Zealand, Australia, and in parts of Europe.

FWC Description: 8

Muscovy ducks have been introduced into urban and suburban areas in Florida where they often occur in high densities. These birds were illegally released primarily by private individuals for ornamental purposes or as pets. Muscovy ducks can be extremely prolific and local populations can increase dramatically in a short time. As a result, controversies frequently arise between residents who enjoy the birds and residents who consider them a nuisance.

Because this introduced, non-native species sometimes creates problems through competition with native species, damage to property, and transmission of disease, in 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revised its regulations concerning muscovy ducks.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/29039391935/
  2. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://eol.org/media/4854038
  3. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://eol.org/media/5134967
  4. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://eol.org/media/18418
  5. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://eol.org/media/5134968
  6. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://eol.org/media/5134969
  7. Adapted by jonnierose from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://hub.toolforge.org/P3151:7120?lang=
  8. (c) jonnierose, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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