Duck identification and advice welcome

[Miss Lydia]

Muscovies have a different body shape than other ducks. They're not even technically ducks. They sound different, different body language, they get along fine with ducks and have a lot of similarities, but they are very distinct. You won't see a tail like that on a mallard derived duck, the bill is different too. And I believe you can tell gender at that age, it's just a bit difficult and perhaps not as accurate.

Very accurate description of the difference between Muscovy's and other domestic ducks.

 

[casportpony]

So I'm curious as to what color this Muscovy is. Muscovy for sure, also looks like a dusky, but what color dusky?

-Kathy

 

[Adalida]

It's a cute duck! I agree with the others saying Muscovy. That's a very distinctive tail. Can it fly at all? My male Muscovy was too heavy to fly more than a few inches off the ground but my female is a beautiful flyer.

 

[casportpony]

It's a cute duck! I agree with the others saying Muscovy. That's a very distinctive tail. Can it fly at all? My male Muscovy was too heavy to fly more than a few inches off the ground but my female is a beautiful flyer.

I think it might be too you to fly, but once it feathers out and all the down is gone it sure will fly if it's female, lol.

-Kathy

 

[Adalida]

I just reread the original post and realized she got the duck at the end of July- so it's probably about six weeks old? I was thinking she said beginning of June which would make it about 12 weeks. When do Muscovies start flying? I was told my female was about 3 to 4 months old when I got her and she was a great flyer (until I clipped her wing). I'm just curious now cause I never really thought about when they start flying (my other breeds don't fly at all).

 

[casportpony]

I just reread the original post and realized she got the duck at the end of July- so it's probably about six weeks old? I was thinking she said beginning of June which would make it about 12 weeks. When do Muscovies start flying? I was told my female was about 3 to 4 months old when I got her and she was a great flyer (until I clipped her wing). I'm just curious now cause I never really thought about when they start flying (my other breeds don't fly at all).

This speckled one hatched the first week of May, and I think she's been flying for 6-8 weeks, but she was fully feathered before she started flying.


-Kathy

 

[Adalida]

Here's a pic of my drake before we knew he was a drake. You can see the thickness of his legs. Can you maybe get another pic showing your ducks legs better?

 

[Adalida]

Casportpony, thanks for the info! I started wondering if my duck was older than I thought. It seems like I always buy animals that are older than advertised!

 

[casportpony]

Casportpony, thanks for the info! I started wondering if my duck was older than I thought. It seems like I always buy animals that are older than advertised!

Your duck looks younger than my girl that hatched in May. Does he even have mature flight feathers yet? BTW, he is quite handsome!

-Kathy

 

[quackingdom]

Still.....A very cute Duckling.....Why people are saying Muscovy is beyond me?
You need to wait weeks to know what it is?? Like 9 to 12 weeks...Sounds like a long time...Who cares what it is? As long as you like it?


Cheers

If this helps...look at the base of the bill...you should see where the caruncles will begin forming. Like others have said, Muscovies also have a distinct "shape." But that's harder to recognize.