Wild Muscovy Ducks are large waterfowl of tropical American forests and watersides. They use holes in trees for roosting or nesting.
The wild form has a glossy dark body with bold white patches on the wings.
In Tampa, Florida, free-ranging domesticated Muscovy ducks use suburban ponds and nearby land. Researchers collected 642 time-activity records to examine how the ducks used water and land habitats.
Grass accounted for 42% of recorded habitat use and tree cover for 18%. Open water made up 12%, used for bathing and feeding, while shorelines made up 13% and were used for nighttime roosting and daytime activity. Shrubs accounted for 8% and urban areas 7%, mostly for resting.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
The Tampa study group consisted of domesticated ducks living freely around people. The authors report that these ducks differed from wild Muscovy ducks in habitat use and nesting; wild birds use forested riverbanks and nest in tree cavities.