We traveled south to Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda this afternoon. We passed by many ponds and saw lots of wading birds. We saw Great Blues, Little Blues and Tricolored Herons We saw a juvenile Black-Crowned Night Heron. We also saw many Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Snowy Egrets. We saw lots of White Ibis and Mottled Ducks. Today, our featured feathered friend is the Muscovy Duck. We saw a hen (female) with 14 chicks in Port Charlotte, and a hen with 8 chicks in Punta Gorda.
Wild Muscovy Ducks are native to Mexico, Central and South America, but in the U.S., they can only be found in the southern tip of Texas. Feral or domestic Muscovies can be found all across America. They are abundant in Florida, particularly in residential parks. Domestic Muscovies can transmit disease to wild waterfowl and they are prolific breeders. If unchecked, local populations can increase dramatically in a short time. They are considered pests or nuisances in many areas.
Muscovies are large ducks, with the males weighing up to 15 pounds. Females are considerably smaller, less than half the males' size. They are predominantly black and white, with the back feathers being iridescent and glossy in males, while the females are more drab. The amount of white on the neck and head is variable. Their bill can be yellow, pink, black, or any mixture of these. They may have white patches or bars on the wings, which become more noticeable during flight. Both sexes have pink or red wattles around the bill, those of the male being larger and more brightly colored. Despite all the negative publicity they generate here in Florida, the chicks are so cute, so enjoy these photos taken on today's outing.....tweet.....tweet.
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| Muscovy Ducks (Mom with 14 chicks) (Taken 10/2/12, Port Charlotte FL) |
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| Muscovy Ducks (Mom with 8 chicks, one hidden) (Taken 10/2/12, Punta Gorda FL) |
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