Re: OT: Duck

Peter Huebner wrote:
In article <d233f305-ce81-485d-859c-d5c41a24fbb3
@h16g2000yqj.googlegroups.com>, duckbite@xxxxxxx says...
No Muscovies, but we almost adopted one from a wildlife rescue lady.
We decided against it after we heard that it was beating up on the
rescued Mallards she had. We were worried about our own Mallards.

Marc

Some Muscovies beat up on people too - they're much more aggressive /
territorial than other ducks.

I can't say I have found that to be the case. We've had Muscovies around
for the last 4-5 years and - IMO - they play nice both with each other and
other birds. They are very social, greeting each other affectionately by
bobbing their heads and wagging their tails; they don't do that with other
bird species (moor hens, mottled ducks) but they don't bother them either.

Of the 12-13 Muscovies around, all but one are wild birds. The odd ball -
Elby - was the progeny of wild birds but raised by us (along with sister Bo)
because they hatched late and mom and siblings had already left the nest.
Bo left to make a life for herself when she was seven months old but Elby
stayed. (Bo came back to visit a few times 14 months after she left).

Both Bo and Elby were very affectionate as they were growing up. Yes, they
bit sometimes but it was more an affectionate or exploratory nibble than an
agressive bite...gotta remember, ducks have no hands so the only tactile
contact they have with things is via beak. Muscovies' upper beaks have sort
of a downward hook so even an affectionate bite can bruise, that from a full
grown male could take out a chunk if he was pissed at you; however, it isn't
hard to avoid those nibbles.

The only problem time was when Elby was about 4 months old and
testosterone - or duck equivalent - kicked in. Muscovies don't really have
sex, they have rape...the male grabs the object of his affection behind the
neck, forces her down and has his way with her. They often jump in the
water afterward to bathe. Well, I was Elby's "object of affection"
initially. He couldn't reach my neck so went for my feet. Easy solution -
wear boots, long trousers and let him try. He soon decided it was a lost
cause. With me. He then decided my wife was fair game. She was a bit
intimidated - a full grown Muscovy male is about the size of an eagle - but
coped.

About a year ago a lady duck - "Pretty Girl" by name - showed up and Elby
decided she was more worthy of his affections than my wife. In fact, *four*
lady ducks (including PG) showed up so Elby was a happy camper for several
months. PG nested in some ferns in our courtyard and raised her three
babies there; the other ladies nested further away but brought their (few)
surviving babies back when the babies were half-full grown. During that
time, the ladies aren't interested in the males so Elby spent much of the
day in my shop with me...he would play with wood offcuts and nap, wander
around and investigate stuff by nibbling on it. Loves to be petted, almost
coos. If he was a cat he would purr.

During this sexual off season, Elby comes to the back door at sunset, asks
to come in and spends the night on the screen porch in a little "duck house"
I made; at dawn he wants out and spends the day browsing and in my shop.
When the lady ducks are receptive he stays out 24/7. Pretty Girl is making
eyes at him now so I suspect there will be more babies this summer. Last
summer's are still here but I imagine they will be leaving in a couple of
months.

In short, I find Muscovy ducks affectionate and intelligent. So much so
that I gave up eating duck. I will admit that our dog, Lila is KOS (kill on
sight) with Elby...he is jealous of her.



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dadiOH
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