Muscovy ducks are native to Central and South America, but feral populations can be found throughout the United States, where many (including my husband) consider them to be a nuisance.
Despite their rather homely appearance and bad reputation, I enjoy their visits to Pollywog Creek. They are very large birds and make a big showy splash when they fly into the pond. They eat weeds and bugs and make very little noise.
The drake has only a low hiss and the hen a quiet coo.
Last summer, we discovered this hen and her ducklings swimming in the pond. She was a very good mother hen, always putting herself between me and her batch of little ones. Because of her protective nature, this was the best photo I could get.
