The Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata, is a robust bird native to the Americas. Males are substantially larger than females, with the former reaching lengths of about 76 cm and weighing up to 7 kg, while the latter grow to roughly half that size. The plumage is predominantly black and white, with males displaying iridescent and glossy back feathers, and females appearing more subdued. The amount of white on the neck and head varies, as does the bill color, ranging from yellow to pink to black, or a combination thereof. Both sexes possess distinctive pink or red wattles around the bill, with the male's being larger and more vivid.
Muscovy ducks can be identified by their large size, long claws on their feet, and a broad, flat tail. The males, or drakes, have a more pronounced appearance with caruncles at the base of the bill and a low erectile crest of feathers. Ducklings are mostly yellow with buff-brown markings on the tail and wings, and they lack the adult's wattles for a period after hatching.
