If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

10/23/04 Excuse moi, but that's one fugly duck. 
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, Los Angeles County, CA 
10/23/04 Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Muscovy Duck

SPECIES: Cairina moschata

FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks & Geese)

LIFE LIST DATE: 10/23/04 

LOCATION: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, Los Angeles County, CA

From National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America:

HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: Tropical species; tame escaped birds occur in parks across North America. A nest box program in NE Mexico helped spread of wild Muscovites to Rio Grande area., where they are now present near Falcon Dam, Texas. Wild muscovies are shy, usually silent; seen mostly in slow, goose like flight at dawn and dusk. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 26"-33"; Bulky, blackish duck with green and purple gloss above; white patches on upper and underwing. Male has blackish to dark reddish knob at base of bill, bare facial skin (usually brighter red in domestic male whose color varies; can be all-white). Female is smaller, duller; lacks knob and bare facial skin. 
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