Muscovy duck (juvenile)

Carina moschata

Description:

This young Muscovy duck looks a mess as his baby fluff is quickly being replaced by feathers over his whole body. He likes to rest near the dog's water bowl and often drinks from it.

Habitat:

In my backyard along an inland fresh water canal in western Boca Raton, FL

Notes:

This juvenile has some tail feathers now but only very short wing feathers so he cannot fly yet. He still has some baby fluff on his back. He was abandoned by his mother while very young but has survived so far. I posted photos of him as a younger baby in an earlier Project Noah post. The change in only 3 weeks is remarkable.