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Muscovy Duck


Muscovy Duck
Photo Information
Copyright: Nel Diepstraten (NellyD) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 236 W: 0 N: 478] (1783)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 350D
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-06-10 8:36
Viewed: 615
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
When we went on a walk at the forest "Berg en Bos" near Apeldoorn, we came across this duck, called "Muscovy Duck".

Here's some information on the Muscovy from the internet:

The male Muscovy is 86 cm long and weighs from 2.1 to 3.2 kg, much larger than the 64 cm long, 970 g to 1.3 kg female. His most distinctive features are a bare red face with a pronounced caruncle at the base of the bill and a low erectile crest of feathers. The drake has a dry hissing call, and the hen a quiet trilling coo.

This non-migratory species normally inhabits forested swamps, lakes and streams, and often roosts in trees at night.

This species, like the Mallard, does not form stable pairs, and will mate with related birds. When Muscovies mate with other species of ducks the offspring are called mules and are unable to reproduce. Muscovy x Domestic duck breeds are common and are used as meat birds: they grow fast like mallard derived breeds and get to be a large size like Muscovies. Muscovies will mate in the water or on land.

The hen lays a clutch of 8-16 white eggs, usually in a tree hole or hollow, which are incubated for 35 days. The sitting hen will leave the nest once a day from 20 minutes to one and one half hours, and will then defecate, drink water, eat and sometimes bathe. Once the eggs begin to hatch it may take 24 hours for all the chicks to break through their shells. When feral chicks are born they usually stay with their mother for about 10-12 weeks. Their bodies cannot produce all the heat they need, especially in temperate regions, so they will stay close to the mother especially at night. The father does not assist with rearing the chicks. Some adult Muscovys will peck at the chicks if they are eating at the same food source.

The Muscovy Duck is a somewhat aggressive breed. The males often fight over food, territory or mates. The females fight with each other less often.

The Muscovy Duck's diet consists of plant material obtained by grazing or dabbling in shallow water, with some small vertebrates and insects.
angybone, pablominto, oscarromulus, marhowie, blakitan, Alex99, pvb, Hil, mikou has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To pvb: Hoi Paula,NellyD 1 06-22 06:51
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Critiques [Translate]

Great detail and sharpness. What an interesting Duck. :)

hi niel,
very sharp image, good details, saturated colour tones, liiked the eye contact very much,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1817 W: 29 N: 5281] (17302)
  • [2007-06-10 9:09]

Hi Nel,
Outstanding portrait of the Muscovy Duck. Very sharp features and nice colours. I like its calm and composed look and those gorgeous eyes. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi Nel, beautiful portrait with great details, splendid colors and excellent sharpness, I like it, BRAVA! ciao Silvio

very interesting looking bird good focus and colors. i'd lighten just a bit. good DOF

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2133 W: 6 N: 2152] (13785)
  • [2007-06-10 10:25]

Hola Nel,
original retrato,
detalles y pov. muy logrados,
saludos amiga.

Hello Nel,
An awesome bird and a fine portrait!
In spite of the looks this seems to be a happy bird, capturerd with great details in the feathers and face...
Tight framing works well, attractive colours!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Nel,
I saw this Duck in Terceira, Azores in a waterpond in a public garden about 15 years ago. In those days I assumed it had "cancer" on its face. But, TODAY, after reading your highly educative notes I dicovered my total
ignorance. Thank you so very much.
The photo is of EXCEPTIONAL quality. Congratulations.
Friendly greetings from your TN friend in Canada,
Mario.

Hi Nel,
Excellent close up shot!
Great sharpness, nice details, and neat.
Lovely picture.....

BL

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3233 W: 154 N: 4939] (15899)
  • [2007-06-11 12:03]

Hi Nel.
You managed to create an amazing portrait of this solid man. Great pose and impression of eye(s). perfect cropping and composition. I also like impressive soft lighting and fine colours. Blurriness of the BG and colour palette are perfect and suit for this photo model. My compliments and best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 381 W: 20 N: 522] (1815)
  • [2007-06-11 12:39]
  • [+]

Hi Nel,
Hé deze vogel heb ik ook op de foto, weet niet of het dezelfde is want er zitten er genoeg in Berg en Bos en je mag redelijk dichtbij ze komen.
Mooie close-up met goede scherpte en veel details.
Ben je ook naar de herten en zwijnen gaan kijken?
groetjes Paula

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 750 W: 13 N: 1453] (4981)
  • [2007-06-11 17:23]

Hi Nel,

Great shot of the Muscovy Duck, very nicely composed with a great pose and POV, the details are lovely and sharp and superb colours too.

TFS Hilary :o)

Beautiful duck. The red face is very interesting.

Hey Nel,
This is a beautiful portrait of this duck with excellent details and great exposure. This is very close and I like the way you comoposed this picture with low POV. Thanks.
Claudine

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 863 W: 73 N: 1348] (5265)
  • [2007-06-13 15:31]

Hi Nel.
Beautiful portrait of this very interesting head.Very good exposure white color on plumage.Beautiful colors and very good diffused light.Very nice POV and fine sharp details.Very good separated from blurry BG.Well done.
TFS,with greeting Milos.

Belle photo de ce canard spéciale par sa grandeur et sa tete, avec ses jolies couleurs, son regard. Amitiés Thomas

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