Muscovy ducks are a type of domesticated duck that originate from South America. They are large ducks with black and white feathers and bare red skin on their faces. In recent decades, feral populations of Muscovy ducks have become established in certain parts of North America, including parts of Tennessee. This has raised questions about the status and impact of Muscovy ducks in Tennessee.
What are Muscovy ducks?
Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) are a large domesticated duck species that traces its ancestry to the Muscovy Duck in South America. They are large, heavy bodied ducks that can weigh up to 15 pounds. Male Muscovy ducks (drakes) are about twice as large as females.
Muscovy ducks have black and white plumage. The drakes are mostly black with white wing patches, while females are brownish-gray with black and white mottled markings. A distinctive feature of Muscovy ducks is the bare red or pink skin around their eyes, on their bills, and on their legs and feet. This carunculated skin becomes more pronounced in males.
Muscovy ducks have long claws on their feet and strong legs, making them able to perch in trees. Their wings are also large and strong, allowing them to fly well. Compared to common domestic mallard ducks, Muscovy ducks have heavier bodies, longer tails, and more rounded heads.
Origin and domestication
Muscovy ducks originated from Mexico, Central America, and South America, where their wild ancestors, green Muscovy ducks, live in tropical forests and marshlands. They were domesticated by Native American tribes in these regions centuries ago.
The Muscovy duck was brought to Europe by the first Spanish explorers who arrived in the Americas. In the 16th century, they were introduced to North America and became an important meat and egg source on farms.
Today, Muscovy ducks are bred across the world, but they are less common as pets and exhibition birds than Mallard-derived ducks like the Pekin duck. They remain popular in areas like France for their lean meat. Muscovy ducks are also sometimes kept for pest control, as they eat slugs, snails, and other garden pests.
Feral Muscovy ducks
Over the past several decades, many Muscovy ducks have escaped or been released from captivity. This has resulted in the establishment of wild, breeding populations in certain parts of the United States, including Texas, Florida, and parts of Tennessee.
Feral Muscovy ducks often live around lakes, ponds, canals, and other wetlands in urban and suburban areas. They nest in tree cavities or on the ground, producing large broods of ducklings. With abundant food sources and lack of natural predators, these ducks thrive and expand their populations and range.
This has become concerning in some regions, as large Muscovy duck populations can cause noise, droppings, and garden damage issues in neighborhoods. Some also worry that the ducks may compete with local waterfowl for resources and habitat. Efforts to control or eradicate feral Muscovy ducks have had mixed success in states like Florida.
Are Muscovy ducks found in Tennessee?
Yes, feral breeding populations of Muscovy ducks have become established in parts of Tennessee over the past few decades. They are most prevalent in the central and western regions of the state.
Middle Tennessee sightings
In Middle Tennessee, Muscovy duck sightings and established populations have been reported in and around cities like Nashville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Brentwood.
Metro Nashville parks have had issues with Muscovy ducks residing in area ponds and waterways, leading to efforts to discourage their feeding and control populations. Muscovy ducks have also been spotted along the Little Harpeth River, the Cumberland River, and other waterways in the region.
West Tennessee populations
Large populations of feral Muscovy ducks are found in West Tennessee, particularly in Shelby County and surrounding areas. Sightings are commonplace along the Mississippi River, the Loosahatchie River, and other bodies of water in the Memphis area and nearby suburban communities.
Muscovy ducks cause issues with noise, droppings, and damage in many neighborhoods of Memphis. The city has had to institute control and relocation efforts to manage the ducks, though populations remain well-established.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
Beyond central and western parts of the state, Muscovy duck sightings have been occasionally reported in areas like Knoxville, Chattanooga, the Cumberland Plateau, and the Eastern Highland Rim. However, large-scale populations have not become as prevalent in East Tennessee as in the state’s western half. Still, their presence indicates they inhabit much of the state.
Impacts and concerns
The growing numbers of feral Muscovy ducks in Tennessee raise some potential issues and concerns.
Nuisance issues
Large Muscovy duck populations can create noise problems with their hissing, quacking, and fighting, especially during breeding season. Their droppings can also create unsanitary conditions and foul waterways. Muscovy ducks may damage gardens, golf courses, and landscaping as well by digging for food.
Disease risks
Muscovy ducks can potentially transmit certain infectious diseases to people, pets, and local wildlife, including:
- Duck viral enteritis (DVE)
- Avian influenza
- Salmonella
Proper cooking of duck meat and eggs reduces this risk. But their presence around parks and waterways raises some disease concerns.
Displacement of native birds
Some wildlife officials worry that growing Muscovy duck populations could compete with native waterfowl like mallards and wood ducks for resources. They may take over optimal habitat and nesting cavities. More research is needed on their long-term ecological impact.
Difficulty of control
Efforts to manage or eliminate feral Muscovy ducks have achieved mixed results. Their large broods allow populations to rebound quickly. Ducks may move to new areas when dispersion techniques are attempted. Eradication is difficult once they are well-established. More study of effective control measures may be needed.
Legal status in Tennessee
Muscovy ducks are not included among Tennessee’s list of classified game birds, which determines hunting regulations. This reflects their status as a domesticated fowl species.
However, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) still regulates and manages issues related to Muscovy ducks when they are found in the wild. Some applicable laws and regulations include:
- TWRA classifies the Muscovy duck as an exotic waterfowl species.
- It is illegal under state law to release any domestic ducks, including Muscovies, into the wild.
- TWRA permits the taking of Muscovy ducks outside of the formal waterfowl hunting season as needed for population control.
- Municipalities may institute egg addling projects or direct capture and euthanization of Muscovy ducks to manage populations.
- Federal permits may be required for large-scale control programs impacting the ducks.
So while Muscovy ducks are not protected like native wild ducks, their presence in Tennessee is still monitored and managed by state and local authorities. Population expansion is discouraged both by TWRA regulations and nuisance control actions in cities.
Conclusion
In summary, feral Muscovy duck populations are now well-established in areas across Tennessee, especially in the central and western parts of the state. Their presence can create issues like noise, droppings, damage, and disease risks in parks, waterways, and neighborhoods where they congregate.
State and city officials are therefore taking actions to discourage their spread and manage abundant populations. While further expansion of the Muscovy duck’s range in Tennessee seems likely, authorities continue to track numbers and take control measures where necessary. Their potential environmental impact and interaction with native species remain important areas of study as well.
Muscovy Duck Populations in Tennessee
Location | Population Estimate | Population Trend |
---|---|---|
Memphis area | 5,000-10,000 | Increasing |
Nashville area | 500-1,000 | Increasing |
Knoxville area | 50-100 | Stable |
Chattanooga area | 100-200 | Increasing |
Clarksville area | 200-300 | Increasing |
Statewide estimate | 10,000-15,000 | Increasing |