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Why is this duck called the ‘silent duck’? What are its unique characteristics?
In the bird world, the silent duck (also known as the Muskewi duck) is a unique entity. They originally lived in rivers and swamps in America, and can still be found in many countries today. But why is this duck called the "silent duck"? This article will take you deeper into the unique characteristics of this duck and the story behind it.
Basic introduction of Silent Duck
The Silent Duck (Cairina moschata) is a large water bird native to America. Adult male ducks can be up to 76 cm long and weigh up to 7 kg, while females are generally smaller, about 64 cm long and weigh about 3 kg. Their feathers are mainly black and white, and the drake's feathers appear shiny in the light.
Unique "silent" feature
Although the silent duck is not completely silent, its call is much softer than other ducks that make harsh calls, hence the name "silent duck".
While most ducks make a "quack" call when communicating, silent ducks' calls are subtle chirps or low grunts, and they may even remain silent when under stress. This unique character makes the silent duck a favorite of some farm and backyard duck lovers.
Feeding and domestication
The mute duck was domesticated by several indigenous cultures in the Americas and introduced to Europe since the time of Columbus, where it has gradually become a delicacy on tables around the world.
This type of duck is preferred by many cooking enthusiasts because of its firmer meat and stronger flavor. Compared with other common domestic ducks domesticated from mallards, the meat of silent ducks is more similar to beef and is favored by many people because of its lean meat.
Appearance Features
The Silent Duck's appearance is very striking. They have distinctive pink or red pads on their faces, which are particularly noticeable in males. Ducks have long claws on their toes, which makes them more sure-footed when walking on muddy ground. Male ducks usually have smooth and shiny feathers, while female ducks are more plain in color.
Adaptability and ecological environment
The Silent Duck originally lived in tropical regions, but has adapted to much colder climates, even withstanding temperatures as low as -12°C. Their habitat includes forest wetlands, lakes and streams, where they often forage for food, consuming a diverse diet including a variety of aquatic plants and small animals.
Reproductive Behavior
The breeding behavior of the Silent Duck is very characteristic. The female duck can lay eggs up to three times a year, and each clutch can lay 8 to 16 white eggs, which take about 35 days to incubate.
The female duck builds a nest in a tree hole or on the ground nearby and remains protective over her ducklings during the incubation period. Once the ducklings are born, they usually stay with their mother for about 10 to 12 weeks, learning to find food and how to protect themselves.
Legal status and protection
In the United States, the mute duck is considered a non-native species, so its keeping and trade are restricted by law. Although they are considered native in certain areas such as certain parts of Texas, in other states there are restrictions on the organization of owning and keeping mute ducks.
Edible Culture
In culinary culture, the meat of the silent duck is prized for its special flavor. Especially in some Latin American countries, this duck is called "Barburi duck" and is often used to make delicious dishes. For culturally diverse groups, the silent duck is not only of great significance, but also represents the continuation of tradition and flavor.
While the silent duck remains strong in modern society, its habitat is coming under pressure as agriculture and urbanization increase. How will the survival and reproduction of silent ducks develop in the future?
