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Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Bird · family Anatidae · order Anseriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
1 state[3]
Typical length
28 in[4]

The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a bird in the duck family, Anatidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe records it as native in Texas and introduced in Mississippi[1][3][6].

Conservation status

The Muscovy Duck is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G4 (Apparently Secure) worldwide and N3 (Vulnerable) in the United States[2][7]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[8]. The bird is also on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[9]. It has a CITES listing in Appendix III, which sets controls on international trade[10].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[7] N3 (Vulnerable)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[8] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[9] Protected
CITES (international trade)[10] Appendix III

Where Muscovy Duck lives

NatureServe lists the Muscovy Duck as native in one US state or territory, which is Texas[3]. It lists the bird as introduced, meaning not native, in Mississippi[6]. NatureServe also gives state conservation ranks for both Texas and Mississippi[11]. On GBIF, the states with the most observation records are Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and North Carolina[12]. Those counts follow how much people look and report, so they do not show where the birds are most numerous[12].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: introduced, state rank SNAMSAlabama: not recordedALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3TXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (2 states)
StateRankMeaning
MississippiSNANot Applicable
TexasS3Vulnerable

Habitat

NatureServe records many wet habitats for the Muscovy Duck, including forested wetland, herbaceous wetland, rivers, creeks, shallow water and cropland with hedgerows[13]. Its notes describe forest streams, ponds, marshes and swamps, and the bird prefers fresh water[14]. It perches readily in trees and nests mostly in tree cavities, sometimes on the ground in thick plant growth by the water[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size and diet

NatureServe records the typical length as 71 cm (28 in)[4]. Adults eat fish, insects, plants, seeds and grain, and NatureServe lists them as piscivore, invertivore, herbivore and granivore[15][16]. One estimate of the diet is 30% other plant material, 30% invertebrates, 20% seeds, 10% reptiles and amphibians, and 10% fish[17]. It feeds mainly in shallow water and sometimes grazes on grassy ground[15]. A clutch is about 8 to 9, and incubation is 35 days in domesticated birds[18].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 71 cm (28 in)
Food habits[16] Piscivore, Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore
Migration[19] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 30% other plant material
  • 30% invertebrates
  • 20% seeds
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% fish

When to look for it

NatureServe lists the Muscovy Duck as a non-migrant, though populations can differ[19]. It nests mainly in the wet season[18]. Notes say it may feed on grain in fields at night[15]. GBIF records in the United States are highest in January, February and December[20]. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[20].

January: 52,963 recordsJanFebruary: 45,529 recordsFebMarch: 43,047 recordsMarApril: 40,671 recordsAprMay: 29,768 recordsMayJune: 21,758 recordsJunJuly: 19,631 recordsJulAugust: 21,078 recordsAugSeptember: 24,729 recordsSepOctober: 31,075 recordsOctNovember: 35,154 recordsNovDecember: 44,067 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[20].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January52,963
February45,529
March43,047
April40,671
May29,768
June21,758
July19,631
August21,078
September24,729
October31,075
November35,154
December44,067

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Muscovy Duck as present in 2 park units[21]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina[12]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Muscovy Duck endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G4 (Apparently Secure) globally and N3 (Vulnerable) nationally[2][7].
Where does the Muscovy Duck live in the US?
NatureServe lists it as native in Texas and introduced in Mississippi[3][6]. Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and North Carolina have the most GBIF records, which reflect observer effort[12].
What does the Muscovy Duck eat?
It eats fish, aquatic insects, seeds, grain, tubers and aquatic plants, among other foods[15]. It feeds mainly in shallow water[15].
How big is a Muscovy Duck?
NatureServe records a typical length of 71 cm (28 in)[4].
When is the best time to see a Muscovy Duck?
US GBIF records are highest in January, February and December, but that shows when people report it, not how many birds there are[20].

Facts and sources

  1. Muscovy Duck is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Muscovy Duck: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Muscovy Duck as native in 1 US state or territory: Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 71 cm (28 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a bird in the family Anatidae, order Anseriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe lists Muscovy Duck as introduced (not native) in: Mississippi. NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N3 (Vulnerable). NatureServe Explorer
  8. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  9. Muscovy Duck is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  10. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix III (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Muscovy Duck (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Muscovy Duck: Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Muscovy Duck: Cropland/hedgerow, Herbaceous wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian, Big river, Medium river, Creek, Shallow water, Scrub-shrub wetland. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Muscovy Duck. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Muscovy Duck. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Piscivore, Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 30% other plant material, 30% invertebrates, 20% seeds, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% fish. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Muscovy Duck. NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe migration category for Muscovy Duck: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  20. GBIF observation records of Muscovy Duck in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  21. NPSpecies park lists recording Muscovy Duck as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.