We’re aware that ducks can fly. Some species will migrate thousands of kilometers and back, while other ducks prefer short flights and nothing at all in urban settings.
But how about Muscovy Ducks, can they fly? Yes, they can.
They may not be the fastest or prettiest fliers, but Muscovy Ducks certainly can take off and stay airborne for a few minutes.
Can Muscovy Ducks Fly?
Yea, Muscovy ducks can fly. They are not as good aviators as other ducks, but they can leave the ground and fly short distances.
Wild Muscovies have also flown a mile in one direction.
They need their wings for balance and steering as well as through flapping while running on the ground.
Though they can fly, Muscovy ducks prefer to walk or swim.
Most People Don’t Know – One of the things that muscovy ducks found fascinating is that they are one of the few species of duck found worldwide that do not have waterproof feathers which means when they swim they soak their feathers and make them heavy.
So, to counter this, they have always flap their wings when swimming to keep themselves up.
They can fly, but there are many reasons you will never see a Muscovy duck take flight.
Most people cannot see them in the air because of the way they behave and the way they live.
Here are two main reasons:
- One reason you will never see a Muscovy take flight is that they live in areas where there aren’t any predators they need to fear while they are flying. The only time you are likely to see a Muscovy duck flying is when they are flying to escape danger or find their flock again.
- Muscovy Ducks are also poor long-distance flyers. The longest flight recorded by a wild Muscovy was just over a mile.
So, unless there is danger threatening them, you probably will not see a muscovy duck take flight.
Is a Muscovy a Duck?
Even though we call the Muscovy a duck, it is not a duck at all.
The Muscovy is a species of South American waterfowl with a shape and behavior similar to a duck. but it hisses rather than quacks like a duck, has a breast like a turkey, and a rooster like a chicken.
The Muscovy is a descendant of the wild mallard, a bird in the genus Anas.
It’s ancestors may have lived in South America or perhaps Africa or clay but have been domesticated for many centuries and bred within many different varieties.
In Fact – today there is so many new varieties,with such a wide variation in appearance that it is very difficult to identify them as all coming from the same ancestor.
Will Muscovy Ducks Fly Away?
You don’t see too many domestic Muscovy ducks fly away from their habitation area. But Muscovy ducks can fly away and leave the area.
If your Muscovy ducks don’t eat ample amount of food, they may fly away.
If your ducks have been living in a hot outdoor captive situation all summer, they may fly away in search for something to swim in and to get cool.
If you want to prevent your Muscovy ducks from flying away, make sure that they have the food they need and a cool place to live.
Muscovy ducks may be a threatened defense decide to fly away yes if they are threatened by a predator. If a predator decides to target these ducks, they will leave your yard.
Another reason why domestic Muscovy ducks may fly away is seasonal changes.
For migration reasons during the winter if other ducks fly over the Muscovy ducks will go with them.
At What Age Can Muscovy Ducks Fly?
Just like all other ducks, Muscovy ducklings will begin flying between 8-12 weeks after hatching from the eggs. All things considered, the time period is a long time compared to ducks and other birds that are flying after 50 – 60 days.
Part of the reason for the difference in the time it takes is other ducks can run immediately after hatching, whereas Muscovy ducks take longer to learn how to walk when they hatch. So, once they can get to their feet balanced and running fast, Muscovy ducklings will take to the air.
The young Muscovy ducklings would practice their flight by jumping off of tall spots like branches of trees or roofs. By doing this they become better fliers and they learn how to evade predators.
The Muscovy ducklings can also be recognized from adults because they do not have the red fleshy caruncles on their face.
Also, the males can be distinguished from the females by their black head and neck or dark green head and neck where the females were generally lighter.
Conclusion
The Muscovy duck is a big bird species of waterfowl, which are located across much of North America but none in South America.
Muscovy ducks can fly. They can fly away from predators or if they feel threatened.
The Muscovy duck is very aggressive and may even attack humans.
Muscovy ducks aren’t exceptionally fast in the air, but can reach speeds up to around 55 mph. So yes, Muscovy ducks can fly!