Wednesday 22 July 2009

Duck Domesticity

Two inquisitive little birds were attracted to Malcolm and I this morning, or at least to the bag Malcolm was carrying, in the hope that it contained bread! They were found waddling around Osborne's Pond as we were on our way back from breakfast at Tesco. Firstly a domesticated Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata momelanotus).
Originally native of Mexico and Central America, they got the name 'Muscovy' from an association with Moscow, possibly from the trading of birds for food, with the 'Muscovite Company'. The name comes from around the late 16th century.
This little chap doesn't seem to have any Russian inclinations!

Alongside the Muscovy Duck was a smaller, but no less inquisitive little chap. A domestic (but not true) Aylesbury Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus).
True Aylesburys should have a pink bill, but with much cross breeding, there are many different forms. This one was also particularly slim as they were originally bred for their meat and therefore rather more corpulent. But a more handsome duck, you couldn't find!

1 comment:

Bella West said...

Hi Stephen, that Aylesbury looks EXACTLY like my duck Lewis! Thanks for the great photos. Bella.