The Muscovy or Barbary is the domestic form of the wild Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata. There are a number of local or regional breeds, and drakes of these are commonly cross-bred with mallard-derived domestic ducks to produce the hybrids called mulards.
The Muscovy had been domesticated by various indigenous peoples of the Americas well before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
Domestic Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) are unique, silent, perching waterfowl, often identified by red, fleshy caruncles around their eyes and beak. Originally from Central/South America, they are not descended from Mallards, unlike other domestic ducks. They are excellent for pest control, quiet (hissing rather than quacking), and, unlike most ducks, prefer to nest in trees.
Domestic Muscovy drakes weigh some 4.5–6.3 kg. The duck is much smaller, typically about half the size of the drake, with a weight of 2.3–3.2 kg.[3]: 466
Recognised colour varieties include five solid colours – black, blue, chocolate, lavender and white[3]: 465 – and eight 'magpie' colours, in which the whole back from the tail to the shoulders and the underside from below the tail to the breast is coloured black, blue, chocolate or lavender, the remainder being white. In the standard magpie colourings the crown of the head is also coloured; in the white-headed magpie colours the head is white.
The Muscovy is commonly reared for meat.
In commercial production, it is often cross-bred – either naturally or by artificial insemination – with a mallard-derived domestic duck to produce the hybrid known as a mulard.. In France – where 35 million mulards were reared in 2007 – the duck is usually a Rouen or Pekin; in Taiwan, local breeds such as the Tsaiya or Kaiya (Tsaiya x Pekin cross) are used. These hatch in about four weeks and grow rapidly like a mallard-type duck, but to about the size and weight of the Muscovy.
Smart Foragers: Known for their intelligence, they are excellent pest controllers. They actively hunt mosquitoes, flies, slugs, and even mice.
Key Facts About Domestic Muscovy Ducks:
Appearance & Size: They possess a "scaly" leg look, with long, sharp claws for gripping branches. Males (drakes) are much larger, weighing
kg (
lbs), while females are roughly half that size (
kg). Common colors include black, white, blue, and chocolate.
Vocalizations & Temperament: They are considered quiet, with males producing low hisses and females producing a soft trilling sound. They are generally friendly but can be territorial during breeding season.
Behavior & Ecology: They do not need a large water source for swimming, as their oil glands are underdeveloped compared to other ducks. They are excellent flyers and often prefer to roost in trees at night.
Diet & Utility: Muscovies are foragers that eat insects, snails, and larvae, making them excellent, natural pest control.
Tree Perchers: Unlike most ducks, Muscovies have strong claws on their webbed feet, allowing them to perch in trees and roost off the ground.
Behavior & Intelligence
"Quackless" Ducks: They are remarkably quiet. Drakes produce a low, breathy hiss, while females make a soft, musical trill or "pip" sound.
Communication: They express excitement or friendliness by wagging their tails like dogs and raising a small crest of feathers on their heads.
Breeding: They are highly broody and known as excellent mothers. They lay large clutches of eggs (8-21) with a long incubation period of 35 days.
Lifespan: With proper care, domesticated Muscovy ducks can live for 15 to 20 years.
Meat Production: They are highly valued for their meat, which is known to be leaner ( fat-free) than other duck breeds.
Key Physical Characteristics
Distinctive Faces: They are easily recognized by red, fleshy facial growths called caruncles. These develop as they age and are more prominent in males.
Size Difference: Males (drakes) are significantly larger than females, often weighing 10–15 lbs (4.5–6.8 kg), while females typically weigh 5–8 lbs (2.3–3.6 kg).
Color Variety: While wild Muscovies are mostly black with white wing patches, domestic varieties come in many colors, including white, chocolate, blue, and lavender.
Breeding & Lifespan
Long Incubation: Muscovy eggs take 35 days to hatch, which is a full week longer than mallard-derived ducks.
Mothers: Females are highly dedicated mothers and can raise multiple clutches (8–20 eggs each) per year.
Lifespan: In a domestic setting, they typically live 8 to 12 years, but can reach up to 20 years with proper care.
Economic & Culinary Use
Lean Meat: They are primarily raised for their highly lean, red meat (98% fat-free), which is often compared to the taste of roast beef or veal rather than traditional greasy duck.
Sterile Hybrids: When bred with mallard-type ducks (like Pekins), they produce sterile offspring called "Mulards" or "mules," which are popular for commercial meat production.
