Are Muscovy ducks afraid of dense woods?

[Henrik Petersson]

Our Muscovy ducks aren't the most passionate bathers, but their number one hobby is siphoning for food in pools of water, and would in normal circumstances not pass up an opportunity to do so for the world. Today, however, was a special circumstance. I noticed that a natural pool had formed in a large hole in the ground some 20 feet into the woods that surround our backyard, "I must show this to my ducks - they'll love it", I thought. I started to lure them there - it's very easy to lure my Scovies to places, I've fed them so often that they follow me around like dogs - but when I'd nearly gotten them to the pool, they stopped by the edge of the woods. I stood right by the pool for several minutes, but they wouldn't come one step closer.

At first I thought that they were just afraid to enter an area of ground they'd never visited before. And that may be the correct explanation, but I thought of another one: Perhaps they are instinctually afraid of dense woods, due to the risk of predators?

Now, chickens love dense vegetation, and are rather afraid of open spaces. This makes sense when you're a quick, agile bird that doesn't fly well - they stand a better chance to avoid predators where there are many hiding spots. I've noticed that Scovies don't share that agoraphobia. It also makes sense - they are slow and clumzy, but strong fliers. A predator charging at them in a field will be less of a danger than one lurking around a corner.

So maybe Scovies are a bit claustrophobic?

What do you guys think?

 

[yorkie6]

Muscovy ducks prefer watery habitats with dense vegetation and large trees, like rivers, brackish coastal wetlands, ponds and wooded swamps. That is what i have heard, but they may be different, since they may have never been in there natural habitat.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

[COLOR=272626]Muscovy ducks prefer watery habitats with dense vegetation and large trees, like rivers, brackish coastal wetlands, ponds and wooded swamps.  That is what i have heard, but they may be different, since they may have never been in there natural habitat. [/COLOR]

Allright! I'll go with my previous explanation then, that they're just unused to that particular area.

 

[yorkie6]

Alrighty! Hope I was able to help!