Muscovy nibbling on Pekin

[ConchRepublic]

Okay, we noticed our Muscovy nibbling on the back of our Peking duck. Both are female. The Muscovy mainly targets the neck, and upper back of the Pekin. It reminds me of almost how a dog grooms another dog. We've been wondering why they are doing it. We know the Pekin is female, we believe the Scovy is to with her lack of carnucles.

Any idea why she does this?

 

[suburbanduckmom]

My two ducks do this too. The muscovy will peck on our pekin and they are both girls. I think its to establish dominance or pecking order. I have never seen the pekin peck the Muscovy even though the pekin is twice as large. Usually it is around the neck area but occasionally she will go for tail feathers if the pekin's butt is in the wrong place.

Is the Muscovy pulling out feathers or hurting the Pekin in any way?

 

[ConchRepublic]

Quote:
She's not really pecking it seems, but could be wrong. It's like nibbling, not pulling or anything, just mouthing the feathers. She doesn't try to grab, or bite. It looks almost like when my GSD grooms other animals. She goes after our other ducks when they get to close, but is always with the pekin. Just weird and wondering what it is