Muscovy Duck

Description:

Muscovy ducks are brownish-black in coloration, with iridescent green and purple dorsal plumage and white wing patches. The legs and feet are grayish-black and the iris is yellowish-brown. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males are nearly twice as large as females. In addition, males have a patch of bare black skin surrounded by pinkish-red caruncles (fleshy outgrowths) which extends from the back of the eye to the bill. Although relatively silent, the male produces a low hissing sound and the female has a short, weak "quack."

Habitat:

The Muscovy duck is a tropical bird; it is native to Mexico, Central and South America. Wild birds are also found in the lower Rio Grande River Valley, and in parts of southern Florida and Texas. They prefer habitats with water and sheltered trees such as rivers, ponds, wooded swamps, and brackish coastal wetlands. Escaped birds can be found in many parks across America.