Muscovy Duck

Recognition
Like Forest Gump said:  “Life is like a box of chocolates, you don’t quite know what you’re gonna get next”.  These birds are varied in patterns of black, white, red and green. The males which grow to about 2-1/2ft in length, have bumpy patches of red on the face.  

Where seen
On the ponds at Lara Circle and Concord Drive. Often seen around Thomas Jefferson and walking around streets such as Salem and in spring can be seen accompanied by five to ten ducklings which are heavily predated.

Jimmy’s notes
This is a non-native duck which was originally released into city lakes and ponds. Avoids ponds if there are alligators about and sleeps in trees to avoid predatory foxes Moscovy means “from the Moscow region”.