Muscovy Duck - Cairina moschata

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Brazilian name: pato-do-mato

Brazil

The amount of white on the wings varies and can become quite widespread in domesticated birds. Photo 6 shows the extensive white visible on the underwing in flight.

The male has red "caruncles" or wart-like features around the base of the bill and a more notable crest than the female.

It can often be seen perched in trees where it also nests.

They have become quite wary probably because they are favourite targets for hunters.

They have been domesticated by Brazilian Indians for some time and there is evidence of domestication in pre-Inca Peru.

Muscovy Duck, Thaimaçu, Pará, Brazil, April 2003 - click for a larger image

When the New World was colonised by the Spanish and Portuguese in the 16th century, some Muscovy Ducks were taken to Europe where they were known as "Muscovite" or "Muscovy" Ducks, the only implication from that name being that they were foreign. This same sort of mistake also gives rise to of the generic Cairina name which comes from Cairo, Egypt, another suitably exotic name for something foreign.

Muscovy Duck, Tocantins, Brazil, January 2002 - click for a larger image

Muscovy Duck, Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil, March 2004 - click for a larger image

Muscovy Duck, rio Camaquã, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, August 2004 - click for a larger image

Muscovy Duck, Cristalino, Mato Grosso, Brazil, December 2006 - click for a larger image

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