The Muscovy duck comes from Central and South America. Originally a wild species, it was domesticated by the Indians. It is not really clear how they came to Europe or indeed where the name ‘Muscovy’ originated (the term Muscovy referring to a connection with Moscow). One suggestion is that they were originally brought to Europe by a group known as the Muscovy Company, a band of European adventurers.
The Muscovy duck is still fairly uncommon in the UK as a wild living species. When I was younger there was a pair on Southend Pond close to where I lived. The London bird report for 2010 (the most recent published) lists only a handful of sightings in the area. However low number may be due to under-reporting of this feral species and the actual population may be higher. Certainly we have had three birds (pictured above) on the Tarn since the end of 2012 (1 male and 2 females) but I have seen no evidence for attempted breeding this year.
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