Name this water fowl
Apr 6, 2014 21:36:44 #
connievloutely
Loc: Quaker State (PA)
I took this picture in Hagerstown, MD.
I have looked in my field guide "Birds of North America" and can not identify it
All help welcomed
I have looked in my field guide "Birds of North America" and can not identify it
All help welcomed
Apr 6, 2014 21:43:30 #
Apr 6, 2014 21:43:42 #
Apr 6, 2014 21:45:15 #
I would say 'future canard a l'orange' but that is not what you are looking for... :shock: :mrgreen: :lol:
Apr 6, 2014 22:14:58 #
connievloutely
Loc: Quaker State (PA)
Well that didn't take long
Muscovy duck is not listed in my book???
Thanks to all
Muscovy duck is not listed in my book???
Thanks to all
Apr 6, 2014 22:16:16 #
Apr 6, 2014 23:44:15 #
Apr 6, 2014 23:56:05 #
Yes, looks like a male muscovy, aka, Fred.
I have seen them in the northeast.
I did have to research the book question and I think that it might not appear in the North America bird book because it appears to not be native to North America? I'm not a birding person but I believe the migratory species are listed but these are probably not migratory?
Based on the waters they were swimming in here, I'm not sure I would want them in the manner that RGG specified ... :shock:
I have seen them in the northeast.
I did have to research the book question and I think that it might not appear in the North America bird book because it appears to not be native to North America? I'm not a birding person but I believe the migratory species are listed but these are probably not migratory?
Based on the waters they were swimming in here, I'm not sure I would want them in the manner that RGG specified ... :shock:
Apr 7, 2014 00:03:16 #
We had muscovy ducks when I was growing up in Nevada, they hiss instead of quack. Supposedly a rattlesnake wouldn't come where they are, may be a old wives tale, but we didn't have trouble with snakes and we lived in the middle of the desert. Saw lots of them on the BLM land across the road, but none on our place. Didn't know they migrated, ours never left. Had a big male we called Grandpa, if you sat on the ground he'd sit in your lap. Give him a piece of dry dog food and he was your friend for life, LOL!
Apr 7, 2014 08:35:37 #
connievloutely
Loc: Quaker State (PA)
I am just wondering if someone just dropped "Fred" off and he never left. I only saw one.
When I wrote the title I just knew someone was going to give it a personal name!!!
When I wrote the title I just knew someone was going to give it a personal name!!!
Apr 7, 2014 14:37:40 #
We have several Muscovy ducks on a local lake here in Southern Indiana and they are the most friendly ducks on the lake. I take shelled corn for the ducks and the Muscovy will eat out of my hand. The Muscovy are not greedy or aggressive like the other ducks.
Apr 7, 2014 18:08:11 #
Brian in Whitby
Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
The Muscovy duck is indigenous to Mexico and Central America. That is why it is not in your bird book. It is probably a feral or escapee from someone's private collection.
Apr 7, 2014 19:42:36 #
connievloutely
Loc: Quaker State (PA)
Brian in Whitby wrote:
The Muscovy duck is indigenous to Mexico and Central America. That is why it is not in your bird book. It is probably a feral or escapee from someone's private collection.
Hi I read on Wikipedia that Muscovy ducks are considered invasive in all states except south Texas which is considered their normal range
Apr 7, 2014 19:48:48 #
Apr 7, 2014 23:45:02 #
Brian in Whitby
Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
connievloutely wrote:
Hi I read on Wikipedia that Muscovy ducks are considered invasive in all states except south Texas which is considered their normal range
Well that depends on what they mean by invasive. the most commonly used meaning is that they are alien species that cause significant disruption to the ecosystem by displacing native species.
The broadest definition simply means an alien species that is found outside its range in this definition, the invasive specie does not necessarily cause ecological disruption.
There are no shortages of alien species that fir the latter meaning. the most common example being the dandelion.
I don't know whether or not the Muscovy duck is having any major or even a minor impact on the local ecosystems. I don't live in the area so I really can't make a statement in that regard.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.