BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Muscovy Duck

AnatidaeWaterfowlCairina moschata

Muscovy Duck has surged: up 205% on the route-weighted index since 1989.

+205%Since 1989TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
19RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
14Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Muscovy Duck

The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a North American member of the Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the waterfowl.

Size
12–43.5 in long (30–110 cm) — a medium to large waterfowl (typical for the family)
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes and sheltered coastal waters.
Diet
Aquatic plants, seeds and invertebrates, dabbled at the surface or dived for.
Range
Recorded on 19 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 2 states, most concentrated in the Peninsular Florida.
Family
Anatidae · Waterfowl

Notable Muscovy Duck TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Muscovy Duck. See the full index history below.

Where the Muscovy Duck Is Detected

BBS routes recording Muscovy Duck, sized by most recent count.

Muscovy Duck Population Trend by State

Muscovy Duck population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Florida+426%198918
Texasinsufficient datan/a1

Muscovy Duck Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Muscovy Duck population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Peninsular Florida+345%198914

Muscovy Duck Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 205% since 1989.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.