Whether you love or hate them, The Muscovy Duck can be a pest in your Alabama yard.
The Muscovy duck’s mention brings both delight and disgust in chat rooms, neighborhoods, and social media. No matter how you feel, they are an invasive species. And if you have one or two of them in your yard, you know what we mean. You will want those ducks to go elsewhere.
A Bit About the Muscovy Duck
The red bumpy skin around the eyes makes this duck easily identifiable and a sight to behold. Their feathers are shiny black with white patches on the wings. They hiss instead of quack, are really clumsy, and feral populations are flourishing everywhere. Found near lakes, ponds, and canals, the Muscovy duck is not native to Alabama. Instead, they originated in Central and South America.
As one of the most misunderstood animals, their hiss is often mistaken for a sign of aggression. But they are actually quite friendly. People with farmland and property often raise these ducks as pets. And if you have the room and a hose to clean off the mess, they can make a great addition to your flock. The Muscovy is truly curious, quite intelligent, and very social, for sure.
Want to know another reason some love the Muscovy duck? Well, they love to eat mosquitoes. If you live near a marsh or have a low-lying place in your yard, you have a mosquito problem in Alabama. A Muscovy Duck family in your yard can mean a significant decrease in the mosquito population. Fewer mosquitoes in the yard mean more days you can spend outside with the family. Now that is a good duck.
When Are They a Nuisance?
Those who love to watch the ducks at the local park may not agree. They enjoy seeing the baby ducklings waddling behind the mama duck. Their waddles and hisses are a significant part of parks and lakes, even if they aren’t native to the area. So, still, there is the question of why some do not like them around.
The truth is Muscovy Ducks are messy! They leave droppings anywhere they go, fouling driveways, sidewalks, golf courses, and yards. What’s more, the disease they carry in the droppings is not native to Alabama and can harm other wildlife.
Additionally, if these ducks decide to make your swimming pool their new place to take a dip, they’ll mess up the pool too. In the summer, that would be a real shame.
One piece of good news here is the Muscovy Duck does not carry diseases that would be harmful to humans.
Removing Muscovy Ducks from Your Property
According to the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, the best way to limit Muscovy Ducks’ nuisance population anywhere is to remove the eggs. Because those mama ducks have sharp talons and will fight for their eggs, it can be a dangerous undertaking, though.
One fact you should know is it is illegal to relocate the ducks to public land. These ducks need to be taken to an appropriate sanctuary or humanely killed. What options does a homeowner living on a beautiful lake property have for Muscovy Ducks’ overpopulation?
Covenant Wildlife’s Muscovy Duck Removal and Relocation
At Covenant, we get it. If you have a Muscovy population in your backyard, you may need them out. Your best bet is to call a local wildlife removal company, like Covenant Wildlife Removal. We know how and have the training to remove and relocate nuisance animals safely and humanely.
Our wildlife experts are dedicated to the clients we help and the animals we encounter. With the proper equipment and training, animal removal can be worry-free for the homeowner and the critter.
It matters not whether you like the Muscovy duck or you can’t stand the sight of it. You can count on the Covenant team to help you control the duck population in your area.
Contact Covenant Wildlife Removal for quick and effective Muscovy Duck removal.
