Federal Control Order for Muscovy Ducks (USFWS, 50 CFR 21), Find a nuisance wildlife trapper in your county, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. Expand/Collapse Do I need a permit to possess Muscovy ducks? The first recorded wild nest in the United States was found in 1984, in a nest box built for Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks near Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. Truly wild individuals are restricted to south Texas and points south, but domesticated versions occur in parks and farms across much of North America. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan. Furthermore, Muscovy duck populations can increase quickly, which can lead to conflicts between neighbors, excessive nutrient loading in small ponds, and messy sidewalks and driveways. If you cross-breed a Muscovy to the other breeds on this list, the offspring will be sterile, similar to mules. After laying 8–15 eggs, she does all of the nest defense and raises the ducklings (which have sharp claws and hooked bills to climb out of the nest). Duck Habitat. Birds may be humanely euthanized, but it is illegal to capture the birds and release them elsewhere. Remember, it is a violation of Federal regulations to release captured birds. The strange, warty-faced Muscovy Duck causes confusion for some bird watchers, as it's very distinctive and quite commonly seen, yet does not appear in some field guides. Wild Muscovy Ducks are glossy black with bold white wing patches and are forest dwellers that nest in tree cavities. Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae). They make their nests in large cavities of mature trees, but will also use artificial nest boxes. If the bird’s owner(s) can be identified, make them aware of the state and Federal rules that prohibit the release of Muscovy ducks. Muscovy ducks have been introduced into urban and suburban areas in Florida where they often occur in high densities. The strange, warty-faced Muscovy Duck causes confusion for some bird watchers, as it's very distinctive and quite commonly seen, yet does not appear in some field guides. Their range expanded into Texas in the 1980s; feral populations also exist in Florida. Their aquatic ecosystems must have forest or woodland very close because they only nest in tree cavities. Copyright 1999 - 2021 State of Florida. Wild Muscovy Ducks are dark-plumaged, wary birds of forested areas. Domestic varieties—heavier, less agile birds with variable plumage—live on farms and in parks in warm climates around the world, where they can be confusing to bird watchers. Despite their size, this once-endangered, now recovering species is as elegant as any swan, with a graceful neck and snowy-white plumage. Truly wild individuals are restricted to south Texas and points south, but domesticated versions occur in parks and farms across much of North America. Fish and Wildlife Service revised its regulations concerning muscovy ducks. The Anatidae are the biological family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans.The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents.These birds are adapted for swimming, floating on the water surface, and in some cases diving in at least shallow water.The family contains around 174 species in 43 genera. Muscovies love a habitat of dense vegetation, large old trees and water of course! The word “Muscovy” may refer to the Muscovy Company (incorporated in London in 1555), which transported these ducks to England and France. Furthermore, Muscovy duck populations can increase quickly, which can lead to conflicts between neighbors, excessive nutrient loading in small ponds, and messy sidewalks and driveways. No. They can make themselves at home in ponds, rivers, lakes, marshes, and swamps. We consider Muscovy ducks to be undesirable in the wild because of their potential to transmit diseases to or interbreed with Florida's native waterfowl. 620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL • (850) 488-4676 More information is available below. They are unrelated to the wild Mallard from which all other domestic ducks are related to. Expand/Collapse Does the FWC remove Muscovy ducks? She may also raise additional eggs laid in her nest by sneaky Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. Duck is the common name for numerous species in the waterfowl family Anatidae which also includes swans and geese.Ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the family Anatidae; they do not represent a monophyletic group (the group of all descendants of a single common ancestral species) but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered ducks. The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. These loud, white-and-black geese can cover the ground in a snowy blanket as they eat their way across fallow cornfields or wetlands. One of the oldest domesticated fowl species in the world, the Muscovy Duck was already being kept by native people in Peru and Paraguay when the early Spanish explorers arrived. Their plumage can be extremely variable, but look for the largest, longest-necked ducks and check their faces for red, warty facial skin. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building Outside of breeding season they also utilize marshes, wetlands, flooded pastures, and rivers. Why is it illegal to release Muscovy ducks? The Muscovy duck is the biggest species living in North America. A list of nuisance wildlife trappers (searchable by county) can be found at the bottom of this page. The FWC does not remove nuisance Muscovy ducks. Wetlands, riparian areas or even the local golf course pond will attract them as long as there is some dense vegetation to hide in. Equipped with strong claws, Muscovy Ducks spend a lot of time perching in tall trees. Truly wild individuals are restricted to south Texas and points south, but domesticated versions occur in parks and farms across much of North America. Do I need a permit to remove Muscovy ducks from my property? Muscovy ducks can be extremely prolific and local populations can increase dramatically in a short time. 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. It grows to be around 30 inches long and weighs about 15 pounds. You’ll see Migratory Waterfowl, Ringneck Pheasant, & Laughing Gull in the “Coastal North America Habitat”. This duck species lives in riparian habitats alongside rivers and streams. For more information on the prohibition of releasing or relocating Muscovy ducks, please see the Federal Control Order below (50 CFR 21.25 (b)(8)(i) and 50 CFR 21.54, paragraph c). The Muscovy is not exactly a duck. These birds were illegally released primarily by private individuals for ornamental purposes or as pets. Among them, you might see a dark form with a white head—a color variant called the “Blue Goose.” What is the natural habitat of the Muscovy duck? Expand/Collapse Why is it illegal to release Muscovy ducks? A Canadian goose measures between 2.5 to 3.6 feet long and weighs from 7.1 to 14 pounds! It is very difficult to hatch Muscovy eggs artificially. The male Muscovy Duck is the largest duck in North America, but the female is only half his size. An unusual quality of Muscovy ducks is that they also spend a lot of time in trees. However, both Florida Statute 379.231 and federal regulations 50 CFR 21.25(b)(8)(i) prohibit the release of Muscovy ducks, so they must be kept in a captive situation where they will not come into contact with native wildlife and will not escape captivity. The strange, warty-faced Muscovy Duck causes confusion for some bird watchers, as it's very distinctive and quite commonly seen, yet does not appear in some field guides. The highest numbers in the U.S. are found along the Rio Grande in Starr County, between Falcon Dam and Roma. To incubate Muscovy eggs ‘artificially’, place the eggs under a duck for … If the ducks are yours or have no identifiable owner and are on your property, Federal regulations allow control by landowners, wildlife management agencies, and tenants, agents, or employees without federal or state permits. Expand/Collapse Do I need a permit to remove Muscovy ducks from my property? Complicating the issue, male Muscovy Ducks frequently mate with other species and often produce sterile hybrid offspring. If the birds are accustomed to being fed, you can often bait them in and get close enough to capture them by net. Expand/Collapse How do I catch Muscovy ducks? 22. Watching huge flocks of Snow Geese swirl down from the sky, amid a cacophony of honking, is a little like standing inside a snow globe. For that reason, Muscovy crosses are … No permit is required to possess Muscovy ducks. Watch this video to learn more about nonnative Muscovy ducks in Florida. Habitat of the Mandarin Duck. Across much of central or southern North America, a trip to a local farm or park has a reasonable chance of turning up a domesticated Muscovy Duck. The term "duck" is the common name for a large number of birds that live near water. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network. Trumpeter Swans demand superlatives: they’re our biggest native waterfowl, stretching to 6 feet in length and weighing more than 25 pounds - almost twice as massive as a Tundra Swan. Muscovy ducks can be used to incubate and hatch out their own eggs or the eggs of any other breed of duck, and can easily cover 16 eggs. Aztec rulers wore cloaks made from the feathers of the Muscovy Duck, which was considered the totem animal of the Wind God, Ehecatl. Some trappers will remove Muscovy ducks for a fee. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Do I need a permit to possess Muscovy ducks? Found in both freshwater and seawater, ducks are water … Getting airborne requires a lumbering takeoff along a 100-yard runway. What Makes the Ideal Muscovy Duck Habitat and Diet? If you want to see a truly wild Muscovy Duck, visit the Rio Grande Valley of Texas or forested wetlands in Mexico and the tropical Americas. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. 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