They might not be as rare as a Swallow-tailed Kite sighting in Champaign, but the appearance of Muscovy ducks in east Urbana this week have created a stir of their own.
How the ducks ended up in our neck of the woods is the mystery. Muscovy ducks are native to Central America, South America and Mexico. In the U.S. they are most often spotted in Texas, Georgia and Florida. (The name, Muscovy, apparently comes from their predilection for eating mosquitos.)
They typically roost in trees. They are raised for food production (no hunting is allowed) except in a few areas of Texas, where they’re considered indigenous. They are allowed by law to be destroyed outside of those areas.
But before you whack one to get it off your yard, know this: Muscovy duck eggs are considered a delicacy. According to this piece, their eggs are fancied by famous chefs and Muscovy meat is a very lean, tasty piece of food.
So what are they doing here? Perhaps they’re lost. Ducks.org says Muscovy ducks do not have an established migration pattern. They “move in response to fluctuating water conditions.” As for the damage they might do to your property, there is good news: They like to eat insects. The bad news: “Muscovy ducks feed on the roots, stems, leaves and seeds of aquatic and terrestrial plants, including agricultural crops.”