Thank you for NOT feeding our wildlife!

Thank you for NOT feeding our wildlife!

Families of Muscovy Ducks are a frequent and familiar sight throughout Florida’s Condos and HOA’s, waddling along main roads and byways and paddling in the canals. During recent North American Migration counts, their population consistently ranks in the top dozen of the 149 species of birds found in Florida. Muscovies are year-round breeders, and local populations, if well-fed, can increase dramatically in a short time. A hen can lay as many as 24 eggs in a single clutch, which will hatch in 35 days.

Although Muscovies are not native to the United States, they have been here for over 100 years since being imported from South America where they have long been known as “good eating.” (If you Google “Muscovy Duck,” you would come back with over 80,000 responses—and a good portion of those would be recipes!)

Fortunately, some ducks enjoy protected status, and are not a staple of our dinner tables. Florida’s lakes and waterways have been a bird sanctuary since 1967 (Sec. 90-15). Muscovies are also protected by Florida Statute 828.12 from animal cruelty. However, because local ducks originated in Florida from domestic stock, they are not considered “wildlife” and are not protected by state wildlife laws or the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  State law does prohibit the relocation of Muscovies into wild areas as they may be carriers of diseases which can adversely affect native water-fowl.

So, please do not feed your neighborhood  birds and ducks!  Although we appreciate that feeding Muscovy ducks is enjoyable, it is often not in their best interest. 

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