Mill Mountain Park in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Domestic Ducks
General Information
Domestic means that these animals were bred in captivity for human use; whether that be livestock or companionship. Domestic ducks are typically larger than your average wild duck species. Most domestic ducks, besides the Muscovy Duck, are descended from the Mallard Duck.
Muscovy Duck
The duck with red markings on its face is specifically a Muscovy Duck. Wild Muscovy Ducks are native to Mexico and Argentina, but most were domesticated to be used as livestock. Today, domestic Muscovy Ducks are a common occurrence in ponds and lakes here in the United States.
Diet
All ducks, wild and domesticated, are omnivores. They often eat grasses, aquatic plants, insects, worms, and small fish.
Conservation Status
Because these ducks are domesticated species, they are not listed by the IUCN. However, if you do decide to get a domestic duck, it is important that you do not release them in the wild! These domesticated ducks can interbreed with wild ducks, creating hybridized species. These hybridized ducks are often ill-suited for the wild.
Wild Fact!
Ducks were domesticated to be kept as pets and
this page online
Erected by Mill Mountain Zoo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals.
Location. 37° 14.888′ N, 79° 56.207′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Mill Mountain Park. It can be reached from Mill Mountain Spur Southeast south of Ridgeline Trail, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2404 Prospect Rd SE, Roanoke VA 24014, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region and in Southwest Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: American Guinea Hog (a few steps
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
