Photography of Birds – Set # 228
Set # 228
Muscovy Duck
Muscovy Duck
“Muscovy” is an old name for the region of Russia surrounding Moscow, but these ducks are neither native there nor were introduced there before they became known in Western Europe. It is not quite clear how the term came about; it very likely originated between 1550 and 1600, but did not become widespread until somewhat later.
In one suggestion, it has been claimed that the Company of Merchant Adventurers to New Lands traded these ducks to Europe occasionally after 1550; this chartered company became eventually known as the “Muscovy Company” or “Muscovite Company” so the ducks might thus have come to be called “Muscovite ducks” or “Muscovy ducks” in keeping with the common practice of attaching the importer’s name to the products they sold. But while the Muscovite Company initiated vigorous trade with Russia, they hardly, if at all, traded produce from the Americas; thus, they are unlikely to have traded C. moschata to a significant extent.
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Duck
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Beautiful ducks!!
Thank you, Indira. 🙂
Great shots, HJ! Is the photo of the Ruddy Duck a hybrid?
Thanks so much, Donna. I don’t know. 🙂
That’s a fine red colour.
Thank you, Susan. 🙂
Two ducks with colourful and striking bills, HJ. It was interesting to read about the origin of the name of the second one too.
Thank you very much, Chris. 🙂
The bills on both your Ruddy Duck and our elusive Blue-bill duck are very similar, though the ducks are very different. Both ducks get the bright blue in breeding season.
They have no connection to each other, one has a blue bill only certain stages of its life. The other one it’s not blue at all but white and black with reflection from the blue sky. Thanks, Ashley. 🙂